The Panther offense generated a total of  83 yards with only four first downs in their first region loss of the season to Creekside, 21-3. 

“We went in thinking we had a good chance at beating these guys,” head coach Chad Phillips said.  Creekside amassed 394 total yards and 15 first downs.  In the third quarter alone, the Seminoles outgained the Panthers 156 yards to 4.

The Panther defense, with the help of a 19-yard field goal from senior kicker Daniel Rorick on the last play before the half, kept the score close at 7-3. 

But junior quarterback Kyle Moseley couldn’t get his offense moving in the second half  as they netted minus 2  total yards. 

“We couldn’t keep any drives alive,” Phillips said. “We couldn’t get anything started.”  The Panthers converted 2 of 12 third-down attempts.

Although Creekside averaged 8 yards per carry, 216 of their final 394 yards came on five plays. The Berry brothers, Evan and Elliot,  proved to be an unstoppable force for the Creekside offense. Their older brother Eric Berry, was a standout defensive back when he played for Creekside and the Tennessee Volunteers.  He currently plays with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Berry brothers, both juniors who are being highly recruited by many Division I coaches,  accounted for 239 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.   

“It’s one thing to watch them on film,” Phillips said. “It’s another to be in a game against them. They’ll definitely commit somewhere big.”

 The bye week came at a good time for the Panthers.  Phillips and his coaches have had two weeks  since the Oct. 5 loss to Creekside to prepare for Friday night’s game against cross-town rival McIntosh.  The Chiefs, who are enjoying a winning season at 4-2, have never defeated the Panthers, and Phillips want to keep it that way.

“We are tweaking the offense and trying to put them in the best situation to win,” Phillips said.  “We are trying to open up the passing game more.”

The game is at 7:30 p.m. at McIntosh.