The juggernaut known as the Mart Panthers claimed another victim on Friday, Nov. 26 during a Class 2A Division II regional round blowout at Mexia’s Blackcat Field.
No. 1 Mart recorded a 55-7 thrashing of Wortham to advance to the quarterfinals against a familiar foe — District 10-2A rival Chilton.
The Panthers (13-0) overwhelmed yet another opponent with their defense, which saw a potential shutout bid broken up by a late touchdown from the Bulldogs (7-6) that came with 16 seconds left to play.
The other 47 minutes and 44 seconds belonged to Mart, which built a 14-0 edge after the opening stanza and later jogged into the halftime locker room with a comfortable 34-0 edge. The Panthers swarmed Wortham’s rushing attack and never gave the Bulldogs a chance to construct an upset bid. Meanwhile, Mart’s offensive line paved the way for 250 rushing yards and five scores on 24 total carries.
Mart running back Robert Hickman opened the game’s scoring with a 13-yard TD run, and quarterback Trey Powell added a 13-yard scoring jaunt to cap the first quarter. The Panthers then added a 47-yard TD toss from Powell to Brandon Lundy to begin the second period.
Powell tacked on a 24-yard TD throw to Jonah Ross with 1:41 to go in the first half, and the Panthers also got a 71-yard punt return score from Ross during a dominant display in the opening 24 minutes.
Second Half
Mart tacked on three more scores after intermission — rushing TDs from Powell, Klyderion Campbell and Ja’Deriun Bell. Powell finished the game 9 of 12 passing for 160 yards and two scores and added 39 yards and a pair of
TDs on eight carries. Hickman posted 60 yards and a score on 10 totes.
Ross snagged four passes for 78 yards and a TD to lead the receiving corps, and Lundy added 64 yards and a score on three receptions.
The stifling Panther defense saw senior Da’Marion Medlock and sophomore Dominic Medlock finish with 25 and 21 tackles, respectively. Da’Marion Medlock also snagged an interception, while four
different players — Campbell, Ayden Lane, Alan Harringer and Monte Swaner — registered a sack.
Mart also forced three Wortham fumbles and recovered one for a takeaway thanks to Bell.
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