Sunday, September 22, 2024

Final Tune Up Before Conference Play Has Panthers Hitting On All Cylinders

 I want to start by saying that tonight's win over Averett was a true example of a team win. I was watching the game on my phone while attending the William and Mary game at home against Furman. (Have you ever had to explain to someone after telling them you went to Ferrum, that no Ferrum is not in South Carolina, that is Furman? I know I have.) Tonight is the first time I have ever watched the two team playing at the same time......but let's get back to the Panthers win.

When I got logged into the game on my phone, Averett had just completed their opening 7 play, 62 yard drive resulting in the Cougars converting a 21 yard field goal. Averett led 3-0. The quarter continued, with both teams exchanging punts after drives that bogged down. With 7:14 remaining in the opening period, Ferrum took its second possession of the game down the field on a 4 play 64 yard drive ending with a 46 yard pass from Wyatt to Nathan Aguilar for the Panthers first score of the game. Seth Deaton added the extra point, and Ferrum would never look back, leading 7-3.

Averett's ensuing drive was a solid attempt to keep the game in reach. They moved the ball all the way to the Ferrum 4 yard line, but running back Nicholas Easley fumbled and the Panthers recovered at the 4. Ferrum moved the ball methodically down the field, but the drive stalled at the Averett 25 yard line. This set up Seth Deaton for his first field goal of the game, splitting the uprights from 42 yards out and giving Ferrum a 10-3 lead with 13:37 left in the first half.

The next drive for Averett was met with the strong play of the Panthers defense. Two penalty's against the Cougars slowed their slight momentum, and they again had to punt to Ferrum. The punt resulted in a touchback, and Ferrum took over at their own 20 yard line. 10 plays and 80 yards later resulted in a Jahylen Lee 1 yard touchdown run. The Deaton extra point gave Ferrum a 17-3 lead.

Averett's Nick Andrews returned the Ferrum kickoff to the Cougar 22 yard line where they started their next possession. Averett was able to move the ball into Panther territory, but again, a stingy Ferrum defense, and penalties against Averett stalled their progress and they again punted.

Ferrum took over at their own 13, and quickly moved the ball to the Averett 13 yard line. With time getting short in the half, and facing a 4th and 9, Ferrum again called on Seth Deaton to convert a 30 yard field goal. Deaton did not disappoint, and he gave Ferrum a 20-3 lead, which they would take into the locker room.

Ferrum would receive the kickoff to begin the second half, and within nine plays a nice offensive effort would fall short of a touchdown, but was plenty close enough to again call on Seth Deaton to connect on a 36 yard field goal attempt. This would be Deaton's third field goal of the game, extending the Panther lead to 23-3.

After the Deaton kickoff, Averett put together a nice 12 play drive but the Ferrum defense limited their progress to the Ferrum 22. They called on Mikhail Iakovlev to attempt a 40 yard field goal, but it was no good, and Ferrum took over at their own 22, with 6:46 remaining in the third quarter. In seven plays, the Panthers would find the endzone again, and add to their lead making it 29-3. The Deaton PAT was blocked.

After the ensuing kickoff, Averett would try to put together an offensive drive, only to be stymied by a fumble that was recovered by Ferrum's Marquan Martin on the Averett 47. The offense took over, but stalled on this drive, and Hutton was called in to punt. Averett took over on their own 3 yard line.

With only a gain of two yards, Averett punted on fourth down, and Ferrum took over on the Averett 38 yard line. This drive would continue into the fourth quarter. This drive culminated in a 36 yard touchdown pass from Zach Wyatt to Nathan Aguilar. The Deaton extra point was good, and Ferrum lead 36-3.

Averett's next possession saw them move the ball into Ferrum territory, and on a 2nd and 2, Gaby Soto ran 33 yards for an Averett touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Ferrum lead was cut to 36-10. The rest of the game was fairly anticlimactic, and the final score was Ferrum 36  Averett 10.

This was how I had hoped the non conference schedule would end. I was really concerned about this game, but I see Ferrum improving each week. Ferrum will have their open date this coming week, but will return home to face the Bridgewater Eagles (2-1) on the Saturday Oct. 5th. This will be a tough game for Ferrum, but I am really impressed with their overall progress so far. It's Fan Appreciation Day at Ferrum that Saturday, so let's pack the place and get win #3.


Go Panthers!


No comments:

Post a Comment