The varsity football team opened their season with a bang, traveling to Royse City on Friday and claiming a commanding 55-27 victory over the Bulldogs. The Panthers, who faced challenges on the road last season, showed no signs of struggle this time around, setting the tone for what they hope will be a strong year.
The win was fueled by a balanced and dynamic offense. Senior quarterback Jackson Hays led the charge, throwing for 124 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Travis Agee also made a significant impact, rushing for 138 yards, and contributing to a well-rounded offensive performance.
The defense for varsity football showed up in full force. The secondary, led by player of the game Judah Thompson, snatched four interceptions, with Thompson himself securing two. Andrew Earls was a standout on both sides of the ball, contributing four tackles, a pass defense, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Joshua Barrow was another thorn in Royse City’s side, racking up 15 tackles, including one for a loss, and a crucial sack that furthered the Panthers’ dominance.
The Panthers’ dominance was evident in the stats, as they racked up 437 total yards, easily trumping Royse City’s 227 yards. Despite the loss, Royse City found the end zone with scores from Kamarion Clarke, Jamion Richardson, and Xavier Watson.
After the game, this is what cornerback Braylon Coleman had to say about the big road win:
Q: “This is your first time winning away in a while. You all really came in here and silenced the building. How do you feel?”
A: “We feel good coming into this game and getting this first win. It’s important for the team’s success, especially as we prepare for North Forney before our first district game. This win felt great—it’s good for the team.”
Q: “How do you plan to keep this energy up?”
A: “Just take it week by week, prepare for our opponents like we did this time. Players need to step up when others go down, and we’ll ride the wave like Coach B says.”
Before the game, he emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand:
Q: “Heading into your senior season, what does your mindset look like?”
A: “Heading into my final season as a senior, my mindset is strictly business. Staying locked in and keeping the main thing the main thing, and that’s winning a gold ball,” said Coleman.
Q: “How is the squad feeling coming out of preseason? Looking good, feeling good?”
A: “The team is looking good. We have some key players battling injuries, but everyone has been consistent and accepting their role when it comes to being ready when their number is called.”
Q: “Last season, PESH went undefeated at home but struggled on the road, going 1-5. How has the squad prepared to win more games away from home?”
A: “This season, we’ve prioritized winning games on the road and becoming comfortable with unfamiliar environments. We play both Plano and West at Clark this season, and those are must-win games for us. We even scrimmaged at Clark to help prepare for that environment and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
The football team’s success on the road marks a significant improvement over last season, where they went 1-5 away from home. The team clearly responded to the challenges and started the season with a strong statement.
Varsity football will look to keep their momentum going as they return home to face North Forney next Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Panthers will aim to extend their five-game home win streak, dating back to last season. Meanwhile, Royse City will head out to take on Rowlett on Thursday, hoping to secure their first win of the season.
