Panthers invade Port Gibson
Published 5:00 am Friday, October 21, 2005
Riding a 2-game winning streak, the Ole Brook Panthers look fortheir third straight Region 6-4A win Friday night when they visitthe Port Gibson Blue Waves. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Ole Brook (3-3, 3-1), fresh from knocking off previouslyunbeaten Terry 24-21, can’t afford a letdown against Port Gibson(1-6, 0-3). The Waves boast an explosive offense, capable ofscoring quickly from anywhere on the field.
At McComb last Friday, Port Gibson trailed the Tigers 33-12before striking quickly for 2 fourth-quarter touchdowns.
“Their record is not real good but they have a bunch of goodathletes,” was the opinion on Port Gibson shared by Ole Brook headcoach Tucker Peavey. “They played well against McComb.
“They run it and throw it out of the I-formation. And they arepretty balanced.”
Coached by Harry Brown II, the Waves displayed a potent passinggame against McComb. Senior quarterback Thomas Massey completed 9of 18 passes for 196 yards and 2 TDs.
Massey’s leading receivers are Maurice Crutison (6-1, 205, jr.),Denzel Marbley (6-6, 210, sr.) and Jeremy Brandon (5-10, 180, jr.).Against McComb, Crutison caught 3 passes for 111 yards and a TD.Marbley had 3 catches for 41 yards. Brandon had 3 receptions for 32yards and a TD.
“They are fast at all their skill positions,” said Peavey.
Brandon also works at tailback. He rushed 14 times for 65 yardsand a TD against McComb.
Peavey said he was impressed by Port Gibson nose guardChristopher Edwards (5-11, 290, jr.). “Their nose guard reallystands out.
“Defensively, they bring a lot of pressure and play man coveragea lot.”
Peavey has been preaching daily improvement to his young squadand the results have been favorable. “We have to go into this gamewith the idea that we have to get better. We have to win our regiongames.”
Peavey said team players of the week for the Terry game wereBobo Rancifer, offense; Will Thibodeaux, special teams; and VirgilSanders, defense.
Rancifer, a sophomore quarterback, ran for 1 touchdown andpassed to Charles Wilson for another. He completed 11 of 20 passesfor 125 yards as the Panthers roared to a 21-0 halftime lead.
Thibodeaux, a junior placekicker, booted 3 extra points and a32-yard, fourth-quarter field goal. He also punted 4 times for a34.7-yard average.
Sanders, a junior defensive tackle, accounted for 10 tackles anda quarterback sack. T.J. Qualls followed with 7 tackles and a sack.Varris Kees had 6 tackles and Orlandus Chapman 5. R.J. Jenkins alsohad 5 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Peavey said wide receiver Marcus Smith was slowed by a soreknee, but “he should be ready to go.”
Tight end Simmie Yarborough was Ole Brook’s leading receiverwith 3 catches for 49 yards. Marcus Smith had 2 catches for 31yards.
Port Gibson, along with Florence and Mendenhall, are newcomersto Region 6-4A this year.
Panther Paws: Ole Brook hasn’t played PortGibson since 2002, when the Panthers romped to a 55-12 homecomingvictory.