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Panthers share scoring honors in downing Dresden

Panthers share scoring honors in downing Dresden
Putting five touchdowns on the board from five different players, the Martin Middle School Panthers jumped out to a 24-0 lead and held off a late Dresden surge to take a 30-12 victory this past Thursday night in Dresden.
The Lions took the opening kickoff and picked up a quick first down on three straight carries from Logan Thomas. A pass from Davis Moran to Preston Odle netted 12 yards and another first down in Martin territory and another connection from Moran to Odle was good for 16 yards plus an additional 5 yards marked off on a Panther penalty. The Panther defense picked up, however, and sacked Moran on a fourth-and-long to take over on possession.
Mason Capps’ pass missed its mark on first down, but a handoff to halfback Antonio Hogard resulted in a 72-yard touchdown run for the game’s first score. The extra point kick was blocked, but with 3:15 left in the first quarter the visitors took a 6-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Lions punted after failing to pick up a first down. The Panthers, deep in their own territory, gained a first down on a 39-yard run from Hogard and an Andrew Langley run picked up 9 yards. A pitch from Capps to R.J. Scott netted 23 yards and a 2-yard run from Langley capped off the drive with a touchdown. The extra point try failed, but with 4:30 left in the second quarter, Martin enjoyed a 12-0 lead.
The second half opened with Ben Kendall intercepting a MMS pass. Dresden turned in a quick three-and-out and the Panthers regained possession on their 48-yard line.
Langley carried the ball three yards on first down and Scott followed with a 32-yard gain. Hogard picked up another 3 yards before being tripped up and Scott ran in the 14-yard touchdown. The kick was blocked, but with 2:43 left in the third quarter, Martin took the 18-0 lead.
On the kickoff, Chase Thweatt took the ball away from Kendall at the 42-yard line and ran back the touchdown. The extra point failed, but the Panthers increased the lead, 24-0, with 2:31 left in the third frame.
Dresden started the next drive on its own 18 and picked up 29 yards on first down on a run from Thomas. Matt Mathis gained another 10 yards and Justin James ran in the 47-yard touchdown for the Lions‘ first score. The conversion failed, but with 1:04 left in the third quarter, Martin held a 24-6 edge.
At the beginning of the final quarter, the Panthers gained 19 yards from Eric Stoker on third down. Stoker picked up another three yards and Langley gained 12 yards on two carries. Beau Kelly kept the ball for the 13-yard score. The kick failed, but with 5:50 left to play, Martin stretched its lead to 30-6.
The Lions tacked on their final score of the game on a 37-yard run from Blake Stoker with 1:54 left, but the Panthers held on for the 30-12 win.