Strong Panther Defense To Get Another Test Against Canton

If there are three words that might best describe the Ford Panthers’ 2009 season thus far, they would be, "Oh, so close."

Last Friday, the Panther defense turned in a brilliant performance in holding Tyler Chapel Hill to just seven points. However, things did not go as well on offense for Ford, including a fumble inside the Chapel Hill 5-yard line with time winding down, and the Panthers fell, 7-0.

"I have to say that was the best game we played defensively since the game against Celina two years ago, as far as the time I’ve been head coach," Derek Alford said. "We had one turnover the whole night, but that was at their 3-yard line at the very end.

"We played well. They (Chapel Hill) were obviously a lot bigger, stronger and faster than we are. I’m very proud of our effort," he added.

The Panthers must put the disappointment of that loss behind them quickly because another stern test awaits them tonight (Friday) at Lytal Field against the Canton Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Eagles have one of the area’s most potent passing games and the running game is nothing poor, either, as Alford noted.

"It is going to be an interesting matchup. This past week, we had two interceptions on defense and that was one of the things we had been struggling with, covering receivers…They (Canton) can move the ball on offense, challenge our secondary and our front guys by running the ball when they can."

Canton quarterback Chance Wallace will have to be contained if the Panthers are to keep the Eagles from scoring at will. Wallace threw for six touchdowns and 386 yards last week in a 60-35 win over Waco Reicher.

"As for getting pressure on him, we want to, but it’s kind of a Catch-22 because he’s a good runner, just like a running back. What we have to try to do is see if we can get pressure on him with our front four and the rest of the time to help cover," Alford said.

Offensively, the Panthers need to churn out a few big plays to put points on the board, the coach said.

"We have had a 42-yard run and that is our longest play," Alford said. "In the red zone (inside opponent’s 20), it is always tough to cash in, so we need more big plays on offense to help eliminate that problem."

Perhaps the biggest key to Ford’s chances at a win is keeping the ball out of the Eagles’ hands.

They are highly productive on offense, so we’ve got to get focused on keeping the ball away from them. They can’t score if they don’t have the ball," Alford said.

Ford quarterback Kyle Stone went 9-for-12 on pass attempts against Chapel Hill for 74 yards. He, receiver Zach Witherspoon and Colton Scott earned the team’s Big Play award on offense.

Scott, who had four carries for 41 yards rushing, was named Offensive Most Valuable Player for the game. Stone also garnered the Big Hit award on offense and Scott Dunn was this week’s Hustle Award recipient.

The Panthers held Chapel Hill to 213 yards total offense. Junior Tyler McBride had seven tackles, an interception, caused a fumble and broke up a pass in earning the Big P Defensive Award for the week.

Kevin Stone led the team with five tackles, five assists, two quarterback pressures and one tackle for loss.

The defensive line of Stone, Manuel Castilleja, Leonard Elledge, Jordan Burks and Justin Bremer accounted for 20 tackles, 15 assists, three tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.

They earned the Defensive Hustle Award collectively, while McBride was recognized with the Big Hit award for a play on a Chapel Hill receiver that resulted in a fumble.