BOGUE CHITTO – Five turnovers spoiled Bogue Chitto’s return to the gridiron Friday night as the Lumberton Panthers cruised to a 46-8 win over the Bobcats in Region 4-1A football action at Troy Smith Field.

“Glad to get the win,” said Lumberton coach Zac Jones. “Bogue Chitto has a young team, but they fought hard until the very end.”

In the opening quarter of action, Bogue Chitto began the contest with an onside kick and successfully recovered the kick on the 40-yard line in Lumberton territory. The Bobcats’ offense quickly used the momentum shift and marched the ball down the field on their opening drive. With 6:59 left in the first period, BC punched in the first touchdown of the night as quarterback Conner Douglas connected with Dee Dillon on a 16-yard touchdown strike. The Bobcats were successful on the two-point conversion as Douglas hit Kobe Roberts in the endzone to give BC an 8-0 lead.

On following kick off, BC elected to attempt the onside kick again but was unable to get to ball in time as Lumberton took over. The Lumberton Panthers quickly went to work with the short field and scored on seven-yard run by Daylon Burks with 5:42 left. Lumberton tied the game up with a successful two-conversion try as Drik Coleman ran it in.

On Bogue Chitto’s next offensive possession, the Bobcats continued to move the ball down the field against the Panthers, but Lumberton’s defensive managed to make a big play to spoil BC’s drive as Burks intercepted a pass. The Panthers quickly took advantage of the opportunity and scored on a 56-yard run to give Lumberton a 16-8 lead after adding on the two-point run attempt by Jonathan Walley with 3:02 left.

In the second period, Lumberton put together a 22-0 run to stretch their lead out to 38-8 before heading into halftime. Ahmad Dalton led the charge with a 14-yard touchdown run. Walley ran in the two-point conversion and later scored on a one-yard plunge to give the Panthers a 32-8 lead. Burke finished off the Panthers’ offensive scoring spree with a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:05 left.

In the second half, Lumberton held on to a 38-8 lead until cashing their final touchdown of the night in the third period on a three-yard scramble by Burks with 2:56 left.

“Offensively, we managed to move the ball really well against Lumberton, but turnovers ended up stopping our drives,” said BC coach Gareth Sartin. “Even though our record doesn’t show it our kids are working hard every day to get better. I am proud of my guys’ effort. They continue to fight on every play and refuse to give up.”

Offensively, Connor Douglas was the leader for the Bobcats completing 8-of-17 passes for 92 yards and five interceptions. Douglas also rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries. Roberts provided 14 carries for 46 yards and Sherman Jackson helped with nine carries for 44 yards.

Dillon was the top receiver for BC with four catches for 61 yards. Roberts had three catches for 31 yards.

Burks directed the Panthers’ offense with 14 carries for 196 yards.

Defensively, Roberts led the Bobcats with five tackles. Terrance Morgan provided four tackles. Kolby Hart, Trey Nettles, Tanner Gunther and Douglas had two tackles each. LaFredrick Dillon intercepted a pass.

Burks intercepted two passes to lead the Panthers’ defense. Jakurren Grant, Dalton and Walley also intercepted a pass.

The Bobcats (1-7, 1-3) will be in action Saturday as they travel to play the Resurrection Catholic Eagles in Pascagoula. Kick off is at 7 p.m.