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French Camp ends West Okt.postseason hopes |
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Saturday, 07 November 2009 |
By PAUL HAWKINS
For the Daily News
MABEN – Friday night, the West Oktibbeha Timberwolves played host to the French Camp Panthers in a deciding game for a playoff berth. The Timberwolves showcased a great defensive effort but could not drive enough to get past the Panthers.
In what’s been a successful season in head coach Adam Lowrey’s second season at the helm, the Timberwolves have edged out wins in recent weeks to be in position to make the Class 1A postseason. The Timberwolves’ dream season ended Friday with a 27-14 loss to the Panthers.
On the third play of West Oktibbeha’s opening drive, the Panthers intercepted the ball at their own 42-yard line. After five plays and 58 yards, eighth-grade quarterback Jesse Hosket threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Justin Anderson. The point after was no good but the score gave French Camp the lead with 8:37 left in the first quarter.
The Timberwolves fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Panthers again took advantage of the turnover. In just three plays, French Camp drove the ball 40 yards and again Hosket threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Chris Nickson. Again, the Panthers could not convert the extra point but the score was 12-0 with 6:14 to play in the first quarter.
On the following drive, the Timberwolves were forced to punt. With no hesitation, French Camp drove down the field again. After a big 33-yard run from sophomore running back Jovon Turner and a 15-yard penalty on WOHS, the freshman running back rushed across the goal line from 8 yards out, extending French Camp’s lead 19-0 with 1:48 to play in the first quarter.
Finally, with 1:36 left in the first half, the Timberwolves were able to cross the goal line. Freshman quarterback Von Smith linked a 17-yard pass to junior wide receiver Dwight Quinn for the touchdown. West Oktibbeha notched two more on the two-point conversion bringing the score to 19-8 going into halftime.
Through the third quarter, neither team was able to score as both defenses were not allowing points. West Oktibbeha drove to the 7-yard line but a solid defensive stand on fourth down gave the ball back to the Panthers.
Finally, with 8:49 left in the game, Quinn intercepted a Panther pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good but the score was 19-14.
However, the Timberwolves would not catch up.
With 2:31 left in the game, French Camp’s Turner rushed in from 54 yards out and scored the two point conversion. The Panthers stood firm the rest of the game as they beat the West Oktibbeha Timberwolves, 27-14.
“I’m really proud of our guys” said West Oktibbeha head coach Adam Lowrey. “We were a 1-9 team last year then this year we win five games and miss the playoffs by one. We have plenty of experience returning next year so we are headed in the right direction.”
West Oktibbeha finished the year 5-6.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 November 2009 )
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