The Panthers dropped their third straight game of the season Friday night to the Ruston, La. Bearcats, 63-28.
The Bearcats traveled three hours north to face off against the Panthers in Cabot’s second home game. The game’s dress-up theme was USA, where students from Cabot High School came adorned in their best red, white, and blue get-ups to cheer on their Panthers, but all those patriotic colors in the stands couldn’t help the Panthers’ defense.
Though the Panthers fought hard, the Bearcats mauled them, winning 63-28.
The Bearcats started the game off with a downfield catch at the 10-yard line, catapulting the Bearcats into Panther territory. Using this, they scored their first touchdown of the night. With the extra point, the score stood 7-0.
The Panthers tried to gain momentum against the Bearcats, but this was squandered, and a punt gave the ball back to the Bearcats.
Staying with the driving mindset, the Bearcats threw the ball into the end zone, scoring another touchdown. The extra point was good, so the score was now 14-0.
During the next Panther possession, there was a fumble, and Bearcat Jaiden Anding picked the ball up and ran it into the end zone. The extra point was good, giving the Bearcats a 21-point lead.
Cabot got on the scoreboard when Panther Jalyn Hart sprinted a full 90 yards, giving the Panthers their first touchdown. The extra point was good, bringing the score to 21-7. Both teams held each other at a stalemate for the rest of the first quarter.
The Panthers started off the second quarter with a throw to Panther Cannon Moore, which delivered the Panthers to the 20-yard line. Panther Cooper Powell was able to run the ball into the end zone for another Panthers’ touchdown. The extra point was good, closing the gap to 21-14.
The Bearcats answered right back with their first second-quarter touchdown. With the extra point, it was advantage Bearcats 28-14.
The Bearcats continued their scoring streak with a touchdown pass after a bad punt by the Panthers landed the ball on the 35-yard line. With the extra point, the score was now 35-14.
Racking up yet another touchdown before halftime, the Bearcats scored their second touchdown of the quarter, moving ahead 42-14.
The Panthers soon responded, with Ayden Tatum making a downfield catch at the 15-yard line. Tatum then jumped high in the end zone to grab a pass for a Cabot score.
At the end of the first half, the Bearcats led 42-21.
The Bearcats started the third quarter by running the ball into the end zone for their seventh touchdown. With the extra point being good, the score moved to 49-21.
The Panthers answered with a touchdown of their own as Moore rushed 20 yards to the end zone. The extra point was good, bringing the score to 49-28.
The Bearcats responded with a rushing touchdown of their own. The extra point was good, and the Bearcats now led 56-28.
The Panthers tried to catch up, but an interception stalled their efforts. The Bearcats scored another touchdown and an extra point, finishing the third quarter ahead, 63-28.
Both teams held each other at a stalemate for the entire fourth quarter. The Panthers are now 0-3 and will have Friday off before playing Little Rock Christian on Sept. 26.
