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FOOTBALL: Panthers win first outright Mississippi title

Posted October 17, 2011 11:00 pm

Doug Daniels

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Pinckneyville Panthers are the out-right champions of the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division for the first time ever.

The Panthers knew a win over Sparta on Homecoming night in week eight would be enough to claim a share of the title, but needed Carterville's victory over Anna-Jonesboro to knock the Wildcats out of the chase. Pinckneyville did their part, pounding the Bulldogs 50-12 and getting some key players off the field for some rest after a bit of a sluggish start to the game.

"I was afraid of this, early, that we'd be a little stale after what happened last week, and Bryant (Shute) not being able to run the ball might carry over," said PCHS head coach Tod Rushing, "but I thought the kids responded in the second half and played well."

Last week, Rushing's Panthers beat Du Quoin for the first time since 1983 but Shute's ability to run was limited in the second half after an ankle injury. He took all the meaningful snaps at quarterback on Friday, but was held out on defense as a precautionary measure.

This week Pinckneyville was heavily favored, and got on the board as quickly as they could when Ky Hamilton took the game's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, then Cole Kellerman rumbled in for the two-point conversion and a quick 8-0 lead.

"He's pretty electric," Rushing said of Hamilton. "I think he's returned three at the sophomore level this year, that's why we put him back there, he runs hard."

"I'll say this about Ky, no matter whether we're out here or at the practice field, you're going to get 100% of what he's got every play. He's a great athlete and he's got a great heart. He does things you can't coach."

Sparta has a pretty electric player, too. Darius Jackson, who splits time in the backfield and under center as the quarterback, had the Bulldogs moving before the Panthers forced a punt near midfield.

J.D. Conner gained nine on first down, but C. Kellerman fumbled on second down, and Sparta had it first-and-ten at the Pinckneyville 34-yard line. Austin Pyatt would make a play for the Panthers, however, picking Jackson off in the end zone for a touchback.

Ten plays and 80 yards later, Conner took it in from four yards out on a pitch from Shute. Justin Hale added the two-point run, and it was 16-0 Panthers with 1:04 left in the opening quarter of play.

Jackson would finally break free on the next Bulldogs' possession, stutter-stepping his way through for a 62-yard touchdown run to keep things interesting, but then it was Pyatt's turn once again.

Shute fired a deep ball over the defender and into Pyatt's arms for a 54-yard touchdown grab, then the two connected again on a quick slant for the two-point conversion.

"Austin's been a real pleasant surprise out there at wideout," Rushing said. "We were a little concerned about (the wide receiver position) coming into the year. We don't throw it a lot, but we've had success throwing the ball to a big-play kid out there and he's really stepped up nicely and filled that position for us. He's made some very big catches."

Pinckneyville led 24-6 at the break, and wasn't finished.

In the second half, Brandon Edwards recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, Shute connected with Hamilton for a 24-yard touchdown and Conner broke a 50-yard TD to put the game out of reach 44-6. Colton Nelson added a 20-yard touchdown run in relief of Shute with twenty-four seconds to go.

Conner topped the century mark for the second time this season, but the first time since week one. His 116 yards on 8 carries led the Panthers against Sparta. C. Kellerman (6-31), Hamilton (3-16), Nelson (7-45), Hale (5-26), Shute (4-19), Daulton Hubler (6-21) and Justyn Rushing (5-24) also contributed to Pinckneyville's total of 292 rushing yards.

Shute was 4-of-6 passing for 88 yards, finding Pyatt (2-49), Hamilton (1-24) and Conner (1-15).

The Panthers had two fumbles against Sparta, ending a streak of three games with one or fewer turnovers.

Pinckneyville (6-2, 4-1) has wrapped up not only the conference title, but the third playoff berth in school history. The Panthers close out the regular season by hosting Dupo (3-5).

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