The Panther held a slim 6-0 halftime lead,
but Maryville used a third quarter interception return for a
touchdown and two more that stopped Panther drives inside the 20 in
the fourth quarter to seal the win. On offense, the Scots
controlled the ball for over 20 minutes in the second half.
At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers were driving from
their own 13. Tight end Jake White hauled in a 26-yard completion
from Drew Carter off a deflection for a first down at the Scots'
28. Three plays later, Carter hit Stephen Tuck slanting across the
middle for a 14-yard touchdown. The extra point failed and the
Panthers led 6-0 with less than 12 minutes left in the half.
The game turned in the third quarter. Maryville free safety Bud
Christy picked off Carter's pass and raced 45 yards to put the
Scots up 7-6 with 10:27 left in the quarter.
Maryville's defense forced a three and out by the Panther
offense after Christy's score. The Scots ground out a 53-yard
scoring drive that took almost six minutes off the clock.
Quarterback Tim Connor finished the drive with a 2-yard sprint
around the right side for a 13-6 lead.
Trailing 16-6 after a 32-yard field goal from Andrew Noboa, the
Panthers got untracked. Carter found Riley Hill for a 28-yard gain
to the Scot's 28. He came back to Tuck for another 24 yards down to
the 4. But Phil Garrett picked off Carter at the 1, returning the
ball out to the Scots' 43 to kill the threat.
The Scots applied the backbreaker on the ensuing possession. Wesley
Idlette out jumped the Panthers' Joe Frye for a pass from Connor,
and went untouched to complete the 57-yard touchdown and a 23-6
lead with 3:58 left in the game.
Carter led the Panthers downfield after the Scots' score. He
completed six passes to get the Panthers down to the Scots' 15.
Garrett once again ended the threat, picking off Carter in the end
zone with 1:57 left.
Carter finished with 240 yards passing, 139 coming in the fourth
quarter. Tuck led the Panther receivers with seven catches for 88
yards and the touchdown. Dustin Canon had a team-high 62 yards
rushing, 57 coming in the first half.
The Panthers host fifth-ranked Wesley (Del.) next Saturday.
