It is becoming evident that Coach Crocker and his staff know how to make halftime adjustments to ensure Panther Creek victories. This season, Panther Creek has scored 237 points and has only allowed their opponents to score 102 points. Outscoring opponents 237-102 is impressive by itself, yet what is more impressive is how the Catamounts have fared in the second half of games. Panther Creek has outscored their opponents 152-20 in the second half so far this season, including four second half comeback victories, and an equal amount of second half shutouts. The Catamounts have yet to be outscored, or tied for that matter, in second half points this season.

In contrast, Panther Creek has barely edged out its opponents 85-82 in the first half this season. That stat may even be inflated by quick starts in blowout victories over Heritage, Jordan, and Cary, in which the Catamounts had halftime leads of 21-0, 17-0, and 24-0. Take away those three games and Panther Creek has only scored twenty points in the first half, while their opponents scored eighty-two. In fact, the Catamounts have trailed at the half of every game this season, except for the aforementioned blowouts. It is also important to note that the victories over Jordan and Cary are the only two games this season in which Panther Creek has scored more points in the first half than in the second half.

The second half surge for the Catamounts dates all the way back to their week one matchup with Wake Forest. After trailing 21-0 at the half, Panther Creek outscored Wake Forest 14-7 in the second half, with their surge only being halted by a couple of turnovers. While less subtle due to terrific first halves, Panther Creek would continue this trend into the next two games against Heritage and Jordan, outscoring the two by a combined 30-0.

This second half trend initially began to shine on the September 20th upset victory over Leesville Road was when After trailing 18-7 at halftime, the Catamounts clobbered the Pride in the second half 27-3 in route to a 34-21 victory. In the second half of that game, running back Dorrel McClain rushed for 214 yards, compared to only fifteen in the first half, and scored all five of his touchdowns, including an 89-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

In the week following Leesville Road, Panther Creek outscored Athens Drive 22-0 after trailing 7-6 at halftime. After that, the Catamounts outscored Cary 14-7 in the second half. The Catamounts then nearly completed the comeback of a lifetime against Middle Creek, outscoring the Mustangs 21-3 in the second half after a 20-0 halftime deficit. Middle Creek’s only score in the second half came on the very last play of the game as time expired. On October 18th, the Catamounts outscored Fuquay-Varina 24-0 in the second half trailing 16-10 at the half.

While Panther Creek’s first half struggles this season are somewhat mind-boggling, it is no secret why the Catamounts shine in the second half. Coach Crocker and his staff clearly know how to make in-game adjustments, as well as motivate their team to start the third quarter with a purpose. Surely the Catamount fans and players alike would like to see a first half as dominant as the second as the playoffs loom in the background. One thing, however, is certain: Catamount fans will not lose hope, no matter what the deficit.