By By Chuck Bodiford
The Canes brought it on hard both offensively and defensively at Friday's game and continued throughout the game. The Excel Panthers fought diligently against the Flomaton Hurricanes, but were no match, resulting in a final of 28 to 14.
The Canes offensive line relied heavily on running the ball, integrating a few passes scattered through the game to keep the panthers guessing. Alphonso Wesley, running back for the Canes, lead the team with 146 yards rushing, with both Brian Wesley and C.J. Williams contributing for a combined total of 377 yards for the game.
In the first quarter wide receiver Leonte Johnson scored the first touchdown of the game. Quarterback C.J. Williams ran 50 yards to score the second touchdown for the Canes only three minutes after the first. After both touchdowns PATs were achieved, the Canes entered the second quarter with a lead of 14 – 0.
The second quarter began with a Panther pass intercepted by running back Brian Wesley. This gave the Canes possession of the ball only to have their next play result in a fumble with the Panthers recovering. The Panthers also couldn't seem to hold on to the ball as their next play also resulted in a fumble with the Canes gaining possession. The first half ended with one last touchdown made as Brian Wesley scored a 35-yard touchdown with 5:35 on the clock, followed by a successful PAT.
Going into the second half with the Canes leading 21 – 0, the Panthers were reinvigorated and made a 19-yard pass only to miss the PAT. The ball traveled up and down the field as each team kept the other from scoring. The Canes fumbled for a second time in the third quarter giving possession to the Panthers, who did not make the first down giving the ball to the Canes on the 16-yard line. The Canes got their first and ten after a flag was thrown on their fourth down punt when the Panthers roughed up the kicker. This gave Alphonso Wesley a touchdown, which he made with 6:05 on the clock followed by a good PAT.
However the Panthers were set on not giving up. With only 1:11 on the clock the Panthers threw an 81-yard pass for the touchdown. The Panthers followed that spectacular pass with a successful two-point conversion for a final score of 28-14.
Next week the Flomaton Hurricanes travel to Frisco City to play the mighty Whippets.