Gridiron Lowdown: Week 8

Sekai Lindsay - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

After breaking their two-game losing streak last Saturday with a 42-31 win over North Greenville last week, the Panthers were in good spirits on Wednesday, as they gear up for a showdown with the best team in the Gulf South Conference on Saturday, in West Alabama. 

In this edition of Gridiron Lowdown Panthers coach Steve Englehart summed up the win over North Greenville and talked about the task ahead of his team this weekend. 

“Obviously it was huge for us to kind of get our confidence back and go on the road and beat a good football team, a team that beat us in the playoffs last year in the playoffs. I thought we did a lot of really good things on offense, got the ball downfield a lot and had a lot of big explosion plays and that loosened the North Greenville defense up for us to run the ball.” 

The Panthers (4-3, 2-2 GSC) scored just seven points in the fourth quarter, but they controlled the clock and wore down the Crusaders defense, keeping the ball for almost 11 minutes. 

“We ran for almost 100 yards in the fourth quarter, got third down in the fourth quarter and our pass defense rose up, only allowing them to complete one of seven passes,” said Englehart. “I thought that was a huge part of the game. The game was still in limbo there and we were able to run the ball, get a rushing touchdown and extend it to a two-score game.” 

Running back Antwuan Haynes carried much of the load for the Panthers, carrying the ball 22 times for 155 yards and a score, which is no surprise to anyone who has watched this team over the past couple years. Englehart was able to get him some rest him in the fourth quarter and lean on Sekai Lindsay, who was able to grind out some big yards down the stretch. 

“Sekai is a big back that can wear defenses down and I think him and Antwuan compliment each other very well,” Englehart said. “Sekai is who you want in there at the end of the game because it's harder for them to tackle a bigger back. I thought that was huge and I thought Sekai did a great job with that.” 

Lindsay had 60 yards on 12 carries for the game, with rushes of 13 and 16 yards in that final stanza. Haynes came up with a 15-yard run in the quarter. 

Quarterback Mark Cato did his part as well, throwing for 325 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another, earning him GSC Offensive Player of the Week honors. 

“I thought Cato felt as comfortable as he's felt in a long time,” said Englehart. “I was glad to see him have the game he had.” 

Cato did fall on his non-throwing shoulder in Saturday's game, re-aggravating the AC joint injury he dealt with earlier in the season, but he should be good to go, according to Englehart. 

“He's feeling good, practiced all week,” he said. “He's a tough kid, I don't think we could keep him out of there, no matter what.” 

Not to be outdone, defensive lineman Adonis Davis was named defensive player of the week, for his eight tackle (seven solos) game that included a sack, a pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries. 

“Adonis is Adonis, he's a beast, well deserved for him as well,” said Englehart. “He is like third in the country in tackles for loss right now and doing a great job.” 

All of these guys will have to have a similar game this Saturday, as the Panthers will host a 6-1 West Alabama team that is 5-0 in the GSC. 

“I said a year ago they would be the best team in the conference this year,” said Englehart. “We're gonna have to play a complete game and can't turn the football over and you gotta get some plays on special teams. A big challenge for us and I'm glad we have them at home, hopefully coming off this win we just had, we'll have some confidence.” 

The Panthers defense has been great all season, keeping many of their opponents in check, but one thing they haven't done much of is force turnovers. If they can do that, the Panthers would improve their odds of winning, greatly. Whether that happens or not, there is no doubt that the defense will have to be good in every other facet, to shut this high-powered West Alabama squad down. 

“I think our pass defense is gonna have to be great,” Englehart said. “Even though we're really good on pass defense specifically, I don't think we've been tested. We haven't faced a great passing team like West Alabama, the challenge is gonna be there.” 

Saturday's game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Florida Tech Panther Stadium. It is also the Panthers Breast Cancer Awareness game.  

If you are unable to make it out to the game, you can catch Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott on WFIT 89.5 FM, or online at WFIT.org. The pregame show will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the game to follow. 

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