GASTON-- NCHS-West with stood the test of the first period against KIPP Pride to weather through to attain a 43-18 victory to keep playoff hopes very much alive with one game remaining in regular season.

Advertisement

 The excitement that students, faculty, and  the coaching staff had going into the game escalated when the Panthers moved the ball down field on their first possession. Running back John Middleton earned two first down on three carries totaling 20 yards. However, The adrenaline filled drive soon halted after going three and out.

 The ‘Canes  took over on the on the 44 and wasted no time in getting down field with a 40-yard pass connection from Marvin Rawles to Derrick Ingram. The completion however, was called back due to a penalty. Penalty flags flew randomly in the opening quarter as flag happy refrees covered the field with a sea of yellow. Although, NCHS-West had 20 yards in penalties called on their drive they still charged ahead to get on the board first with a Matthew Peebles touchdown the point after was good and the ‘Canes lead 7-0.

 KIPP took over and ran out the clock in the first period to start the second inside the 10 to get on the board to only trail 7-6.

 Peebles once again plowed through the Panthers defense to score his second of three touchdowns. The two point conversion was good for the Canes to lead 15-6.

 The teams hit a stale mate though when the squads traded fumbles on the 1 yard line. And stayed inside the five yard line for almost five minutes with neither able to punch it in.

 Kipp was able to score again thanks to Zack Epps, but  it wasn’t long before the Panthers defense begin to weaken as West coach Diego hasty turned lose his horses and scoring touchdowns became an at will event.

West lead 36-12 and the end of three periods. - Panthers managed one more score to make it 18 points but West still poured it on to win 43-18.