Eagles fend off pesky Panthers, 33-24

The Canton Eagles continued their winning ways during a trip to Mabank Sept. 9, spoiling the Panthers homecoming night by scoring touchdowns in all three phases of the game during a 33-24 win.

Penalties and punts were the name of the game throughout the early stages of the first quarter, with neither team being able to string together enough plays on offense to put a mark on the scoreboard.

Mabank was finally able to put the first points on the board, relying on excellent starting field position and several big plays in the ground game to push their way deep into Canton territory.

Faced with a third down and one on the Canton three, Mabank’s Jacob Proffitt broke the plane of the goal line for a 6-0 Panther lead. Mabank failed in its effort to convert the ensuing extra point.

The Eagles began to turn the field in their favor on their next possession, picking up several first downs before being forced to punt. Hunter Moore delivered a booming kick, pinning Mabank on its own 13-yard line.

After a negative play, the Panthers opted to go to the air on the second down play. Canton linebacker Grant Tullos did an excellent job in coverage, stepping in front of the pass and picking it off to give the Eagles the ball at the Mabank 21-yard line.

After an incomplete pass, Hunter Moore powered the ball three consecutive times before reaching the end zone on a 9-yard run to begin the second quarter. Justin Jenkins added the PAT, giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead.

Mabank responded to Canton’s efforts with a textbook Panther drive, one 14-plays long that chewed nearly six minutes off the game clock. The Eagle defense was able to hold Mabank out of the end zone on the sequence, holding out for just a field goal and 9-7 deficit with 6:07 to play in the half.

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