Panthers lose opener to Hallsville, 46-6
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by Mark Cheffey
The PHS varsity football team got off to a tough start, absorbing a 46-6 loss in the season opener at home Friday.
Facing a high-flying Class 3 Indian squad that lost to Bowling Green in last year’s district title game, the Panthers fell behind 16-0 after Hallsville’s first two possessions before going into half time down 22-6.
The Panthers were just inches away from scoring but fell short on fourth down.
Despite the slow start, the Panthers had opportunities to get back into the game during the first half, but just couldn’t capitalize on them.
The Indians set the tone for the game immediately, when on the game’s first play from scrimmage, running back Colton Nichols took the hand-off on a jet sweep to the right, flew around the end and was gone, untouched for a 65-yard touchdown run.
A successful two-point play gave Hallsville an 8-0 lead just seconds into the game.
The Indians were back at it again after forcing Palmyra to punt after failing to get a first down.
But, they took a little more time, going 80 yards on 11 plays and scoring on a one-yard run. A two-point conversion run gave Hallsville a 16-0 lead at the 5:33 mark of the first quarter.
The Panthers had a golden opportunity to cut the lead in half, when they engineered a long, time consuming drive that resulted in first down and goal from the Hallsville five yard line.
Palmyra failed to score, however, when unable to convert on third and one, and fourth and inches.
After taking over on downs, the Indians drove 99 yards and scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brayden Metheney to wide receiver Isaac Stinson.
Hallsville failed to convert the two-point play to leave the score at 22-0 at the 6:51 mark of the second quarter.
Panther quarterback Aaron Ritchey goes airborne trying to avoid a Hallsville defender.
The failure to score on their previous possession loomed larger when the Panthers put together a scoring drive following the kickoff.
Starting on their own 40-yard line, quarterback Aaron Ritchey ran the ball three straight times, the second one a 22-yard scamper and the third gaining 11 yards to the Hallsville 22.
On the next play, Ritchey rolled to his left and then lofted a high pass to a wide-open Drew Copenhaver who was camped in the left side of the end zone for Palmyra’s lone score with 4:52 left in the first half.
The Panthers got another opportunity when Hallsville fumbled on the second play of the team’s next possession, and Tate Hammond recovered the ball on the Palmyra 44.
But the two teams exchanged interceptions on the ensuing possessions, and both teams failed to move the ball on their final two second-quarter opportunities.
Hallsville then scored three times in the second half while blanking the Panthers to secure the victory.
Palmyra now faces a tough Week 2 opponent in Bowling Green, which destroyed Louisiana, 54-18, Friday and is coming off a 12-1 season.
New District
New state classifications came out from MSHSAA this past week, and Palmyra was placed in Class 2, District 7 along with Bowling Green, Clark County, Highland High, Mark Twain, Monroe City and South Shelby.
CCC Standings Week 1
CCC All PF PA
Centralia 0-0 1-0 27 0
Clark Co. 0-0 1-0 38 0
Highland 0-0 1-0 32 26
Monroe City 0-0 1-0 32 16
S. Shelby 0-0 1-0 47 6
Brookfield 0-0 0-1 18 36
Macon 0-0 0-1 26 42
Palmyra 0-0 0-1 6 46
Week 1 in the CCC
Hallsville 46, Palmyra 6
Centralia 27, Mexico 0
Trenton 36, Brookfield 18
Kirksville 42, Macon 26
Monroe City 32, M. Twain 16
Clark Co. 38, Scotland Co. 0
Highland 32, Putnam Co. 26
S. Shelby 42, Milan 6
Week 2 in the CCC
Bowl. Green at Palmyra
Centralia at Hallsville
Marceline at Brookfield
North Callaway at Macon
Mont. City at Monroe City
Harrisburg at Clark Co.
Scotland Co. at Highland
S. Shelby at Westran
Class 2 District 7 Standings Week 1
Team Record Points
Bowling Green 1-0 33.00
Clark County 1-0 33.00
Monroe City 1-0 33.00
South Shelby 1-0 33.00
Highland 1-0 26.00
Palmyra 0-1 7.00
Mark Twain 0-1 -3.00
Week 1 in Class 2, Dist. 7
Hallsville 46, Palmyra 6
Bowl. Green 54, Louisiana 18
Monroe City 32, M. Twain 16
Clark Co. 38, Scotland Co. 0
Highland 32, Putnam Co. 26
S. Shelby 42, Milan 6
Week 2 in Class 2, Dist. 7
Bowl. Green at Palmyra
Mont. City at Monroe City
Harrisburg at Clark Co.
Scotland Co. at Highland
S. Shelby at Westran
M. Twain at Winfield
2023 PHS Varsity
Football Schedule
8/25 Hallsville L 6-46, 0-1
9/1 Bowl. Green
9/8 Centralia
9/15 at Macon
9/22 at Brookfield
9/29 Monroe City
10/6 at Clark Co.
10/13 Highland
10/20 at S. Shelby
10/27 District TBA
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