Quitman tops Northeast
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special To The Star
Oct. 2, 2004
QUITMAN Quitman High School tailback Randy Carter rushed for 184 yards on 32 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 17-9 victory over Northeast Lauderdale in Division 5-4A prep football action on Friday night.
Carter accounted for most of the Panthers' yardage. Northeast Lauderdale had 15 first downs while Quitman finished with 11. The Panthers had 219 yards on 42 carries, and did not complete a pass. The Trojans had 217 yards in total offense. Northeast Lauderdale had 115 yards on 36 carries, while completing 11-of-18 passing attempts for 112 yards. Maurice Langston accounted for all of Northeast Lauderdale's passing yardage and rushed 19 times for 63 yards.
Northeast Lauderdale took the opening kickoff and drove down to the QHS 24 before running out of downs. Quitman took over and with Carter carrying the ball nine straight plays, punched it into the end zone with 4:30 left in the first quarter. Carter ran the ball in from 13 yards out. Justin Holloman booted the extra point and Quitman led 7-0.
Quitman scored again on its next possession. It appeared Quitman had scored a touchdown, however a holding call nullified the points and the Panthers settled for a 38-yard field goal by Jayme Smith. With 9:25 left in the second quarter, the Panthers led 10-0.
The Trojans offense started clicking after the kickoff. Northeast Lauderdale started on its 30-yard line, and 14 plays later hit pay dirt on a 4-yard run by Langston. Jason White booted the extra point, making the score 10-7 with 3:51 left in the half.
Northeast Lauderdale forced the Panthers to punt on their own 38-yard line. The ball went over Smith's head and he booted it out of the end zone and over the QHS field house for a safety. With 1:03 left, Quitman led 10-9, and that's how it stood at the half.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, it appeared Carter was tackled on third down at the QHS 35. However, he broke loose and bolted for 22 yards and a first down on the Northeast Lauderdale 43. Six plays later, Carter broke loose again for a 29-yard run into the end zone for a touchdown. Holloman booted the extra point with 9:07 remaining, and the Panthers held on for the victory.
Quitman now stands at 3-2 and 1-1 in the Division 5-4A standings. Northeast Lauderdale falls to 2-4 and 1-2 in the division.
Quitman travels to Mendenhall Friday night while Northeast Lauderdale returns home to host Wayne County.
