CARY, NC – All eyes were on the Catamounts, who elected to play on Thursday night while most other area teams kept their games on for October 31st. All three phases of the game came together early, as they took an early lead and never looked back.

Green Hope (7-2, 4-1) holds their own destiny tomorrow as they take on Apex (5-4, 2-3). A win would mean the Falcons play the Catamounts next week for the SWAC title, a loss would clinch sole possession of the title for Panther Creek.

The Catamounts never allowed the Hawks to take the lead as Brenden Magner (16-for-24, 211 yards, 1TD, 1int) threw his 16th touchdown of the season and his 7th to Diamante Taylor (4rec, 49yards, 1TD). Runningbacks Toney Bass and Addison Pinkney each punched in short scores.

The Catamounts’ special teams rose to the occasion just under five minutes into the game, as Ryan Callahan blocked a Golden Hawk punt to give the Catamounts possession deep in Holly Springs territory. Four plays later, Dallas Hancock took Tre’ Sullivan pass 13 yards on a fake field goal to give the Catamounts first-and-goal from the Holly Springs 3-yard line. 33 seconds later, Bass would punch in his fourth score of the season, giving Panther Creek a lead they would never relinquish.

With nine straight wins in the books, the Catamounts are looking ahead to rival Green Hope and the playoffs, “We’re putting in work at practice, and we’re dedicated to get to states,” Taylor said. As for next week against Green Hope, “We’re going to catch that W.”

Philip Stone knocked in a 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter and Taylor would reel in a 17-yard reception with 27 seconds remaining in the half to give the Catamounts a three score lead at 17-0. The reception was Taylor’s seventh score of the season, and third in the past two weeks. Taylor also recorded a 18-yard punt return to set up solid field position for his own score.

Nehemiah Harris scored his 10th touchdown of the season for the Golden Hawks late in the third quarter, the only time his squad would make a mark on the scoreboard. Following a 44-yard catch and run from Ivoree Atkinson, Addison Pinkney scored his second touchdown of the past two weeks with 10:32 remaining in the fourth quarter to close the game’s scoring up at 24-7. Pinkney lead the way rushing for Panther Creek, picking up 44 yards on 11 carries.

The Panther Creek defense forced five turnovers, including three interceptions from Juwan Byrd, Ryan Callahan, and Isaiah Laster. Laster, Julian Wheaton, and Da’Shaquan Campbell sacked Holly Springs quarterback Justin Armwood a combined four times. Callahan clogged run lanes all game, leading the Panther Creek defense with 7.5 tackles. “It was a great team win and the defense played near lights out,” said defensive captain, Ryan Callahan. “I credit my coaches for putting me in a position to be successful, but I credit the other ten men I line[d] up with on defense, I trust each one of them to carry out their responsibilities…The Blue Swarm is truly a family and I love those boys.”

It was the sixth game of the season the Catamount defense held their opponent to seven points or less. In the two games prior to tonight (Green Hope, Middle Creek), Holly Springs was averaging 343.5 rush yards; in the first half against Panther Creek, they totaled 31.

The Catamounts travel across highway 55 to take on Green Hope next week with possible SWAC title implications on the line. “We have a great opportunity ahead us as we finish conference play by being the first team in school history to go undefeated in the conference and attain a number-one seed in the playoffs,” said Callahan.

Only time will tell, and the Catamounts control their own destiny.