Panthers fall to Bulldogs in round one of playoffs

Jason Fite/Sports Writer

Barry Churchwell/Stats

Hulon Dunn/Photos

The Lewis County Panthers hosted the Milan Bulldogs in the first round of the TSSAA 2A Playoffs on Friday night, November 3.

The Panthers opening possession went into Bulldog territory before it stalled, and the Bulldogs took possession of the ball and drove the length of the field to score on a 15-yard pass just before the end of the opening quarter to take a 6-0 lead.

Milan would seize control of the game in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the period - a fumble return for a touchdown, a 14-yard run, and an 87-yard run and pulled out to a 26-0 halftime lead.

The Milan defense continued to hold the Panther offense in check in the third quarter while the Bulldog offense added another score midway through the period on a 17-yard touchdown pass to secure a 33-0 lead.

Milan would add another score late in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard run to take a 40-0 lead.

In the closing seconds of the game the Panthers were able to break the shutout on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brycen McDonald to Fletch Kelsey to bring the final score to a 40-6 final, with Milan taking the win and moving on to the second round.

Brycen McDonald was 11-18 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. Chaz Sparkman had 7 receptions for 90 yards, Fletch Kelsey 3 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown, and Dakota Hull 1 reception for 5 yards. Drew Ray had 5 carries for 22 yards and Micah Godfrey had 7 carries for 12 yards.

Drew Ray had 12 tackles in the game and blocked a point after attempt, Nathanial Caamal had 11 tackles, Eli Carroll 9 tackles, Chaz Sparkman 8 tackles, Tim Brown 7 tackles, Noah Alkire and Fletch Kelsey 6 tackles each, Kobe Feichtinger and Dominic Seiber 4 tackles each, Brennan Davis 3 tackles, and Jaylen Murphy a tackle.

The Panthers ended their season with a 9-2 record.