Quitman stumbles in loss to division rival West Jones
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Oct. 16, 2004
QUITMAN West Jones coach Scott Pierson wasn't totally pleased with the way his team performed Friday night. But he was happy to be taking home a hard-earned 21-7 Division 5-4A victory over the Quitman Panthers.
Defense was the key for the Mustangs and the numbers showed it. West Jones picked up 18 first downs while limiting the Panthers to five. West Jones also had a 375-66 advantage in total offense The Mustangs had 235 yards rushing on 50 carries, while completing seven-of-16 passing attempts for 140 yards. Quitman had 11 yards rushing and 55 passing yards on three completions.
Pierson praised his defense, pointing to inside linebackers Archie Sims and Derrick Howard, and defensive ends Ira Lee Keys and Mason Musgrove as having an outstanding game.
West Jones got on the scoreboard on its second possession. Taking over on the Quitman 49, the Mustangs drove the ball in for a score in five plays. Justin Young's gains of nine and 13 yards put the ball on the QHS nine yard line. On the next play, Sims drove it in for the touchdown. Zack Adams kicked the extra point and West Jones led 7-0 with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter.
That's how it stood until the second quarter when the Mustangs struck again.
West Jones took over on its 29-yard line and put together a 12-play drive. Young bolted through the QHS defense from five yards out. Adams kicked the extra point and the Mustangs led 14-0 with 5:35 left in the half.
The Mustangs appeared ready to score again when they reached the QHS one-yard line with seconds remaining in the half. But the Panther defense held as the half ended.
Willie Jones recovered a fumble for the Panthers in the third quarter that gave Quitman the ball on the West Jones eight-yard line. Quitman rammed the ball up the middle four straight plays, and Randy Carter hit pay dirt on fourth down from two yards out. Jaymie Smith booted the extra point and the Panthers trailed 14-7 with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter.
Quitman had momentum, but West Jones was ready for the challenge as the Mustangs intercepted a pass late in the third quarter to stop a Panther drive.
The teams exchanged punts. Then Ray Pickering set up the Mustangs final score with a long punt return that gave West the ball on the QHS 32. Seven plays later, Mustang quarterback Warren Herrington connected with Nathan Sumrall on an 11-yard TD pass play. Adams extra point was true and West Jones led 21-7 with 8:09 remaining in the game.
Though the Panthers dropped to 3-4 on the season, QHS coach Jimmy Don Holloman was pleased with the effort.
West Jones can now focus its attention on the Wayne County War Eagles next Friday night in a game that will be played at Jones Junior College. The Panthers will be at Northeast Jones.
