Panthers ground game too much for Ariton
BY ROB DAVIS
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — Lanett running back Nadarious Morgan rushed for three touchdowns as the Panthers defeated the Ariton Purple Cats 34-14 Friday night at Clifford Story Field in Lanett to advance to the third round of the Alabama high school 2A state playoffs.
The Panthers ground attack combined with a stout defense pulled away from Ariton and held the Purple Cats scoreless in the second half. Lanett will face Luverne Friday night with the winner moving on to the state 2A semi-finals.
“I’ll tell you, I’m really really proud of how we played tonight,” Lanett head coach R.J. McDonald said. “We have the best defense around in my opinion and our offense keeps getting better each week.”
Morgan set the tone early in the game. On the Panther’s second possession, the senior running back carried the ball eight consecutive plays before busting through the Purple Cat defense at the 1-yard line for the game’s first score. Jever Valbuena added the extra point and was true on four of five kicks on the night.
Ariton tied the score midway through the second quarter when Addison Senn capped a five-play drive with a pass to Easton Kilpatrick in the back corner of the end zone. Conner Davidson added the extra point kick to even the score at seven.
Lanett responded on their next possession when Morgan broke through the Ariton defensive line and raced up the middle of the field for a 30-yard touchdown. The Panthers lead was short-lived though as Ariton running back Wells Ganey returned the Lanett kick 85 yards for the tying touchdown.
The Panthers added another score late in the first half as Shamar Patterson completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rakenzia Tucker. Ariton had a chance to tie the game again before half-time. Facing fourth and goal from the 2-yard line, the Purple Cats went for the score, but Senn was sacked by the swarming Panther defense.
“Our defense has been lights out all year,” McDonald said. “They pay attention to the details and put themselves in position to make big plays. That’s what wins championships.”
Lanett pulled away in the third quarter when Morgan raced up the right sideline for 60 yards and his third touchdown of the game. The Panthers added another score late in the quarter. This time it was Terrell Staples on the receiving end of a 45-yard touchdown pass from Fred Broughton.
“Nadarious is really running that ball really well now,” McDonald said. “We got him healthy and he’s been able to battle through some injuries. He’s a workhorse, but he’ll be the first to tell you that his success has a lot to do with the holes our offensive line is opening for him. We still have some things to work on with our special teams, but I feel confident that we can fix those before next week.”
