MOORE – Putnam City North started fast in a 43-21 win over Southmoore Thursday (Sept. 19) at Moore Lion Stadium.

The Panthers (2-1) scored on the opening drive and almost scored on the opening play. Senior Kameron Oliver had a 65-yard touchdown run called back to penalty.

A few plays later, senior Milton Alford took a pitch from junior quarterback Mason Jones. Alford seemed to be bottled up at the line of scrimmage but broke three tackles and cut towards the North sideline for a 51-yard touchdown run.

After a Southmoore punt on the ensuing drive, North cashed in when Jones connected with sophomore Charlie Bowie in the middle for a 31-yard touchdown with 5:09 left in the first quarter.

Southmoore (1-2) answered two series later after Jones was intercepted. Facing a fourth down and four yards to go from the North 12-yard line, Sabercat freshmen Tylenn Diggs took a direct snap and was stuffed at the 7-yard line. Southmoore’s line kept pushing the pile until Diggs made it across the goal line to cut North’s lead to 13-7 at the 8:40 in the second quarter.

That was as close as the game would be for the rest of the night.

North’s next scoring drive came two series later. Junior JT Hutchinson picked off Southmoore quarterback Taven Hills up the middle and ran it from the Southmoore 44 to the Sabercat 17.

One play later, Jones found senior Lewi Moreland for a score, extending the lead to 20-7.

A blocked punt by sophomore Kelvin Tucker gave North great field position. The Panthers took advantage on a direct snap to Oliver for a one-yard score with 4:08 before halftime. North led, 27-7.

North’s first punt of the game came in the third quarter and it led to a roughing the kicker penalty. The Panthers took advantage of new life and the penalty yardage on the drive. On the next play, senior Dameon Hardmon broke tackles en route to a 17-yard run into the red zone.

North scored a few players later. Jones tossed it up for Moreland along the Panther sideline. Moreland leaped into the end zone to haul in the ball.

In the fourth quarter, North pinned Southmoore deep in their own territory. Hutchinson tackled Diggs in the end zone for a safety and North led 36-7.

After the ensuing free kick went out of bounds, North took advantage of the field position. Junior Bishop Moore scored on a 14-yard run up the middle to make it 43-7 with 4:58 left in the game.

The Sabercats got two late scores to make it 43-21.

UP NEXT

Putnam City North returns home to begin 6A-II District 2 play against sister school and rival Putnam City West (0-3) next Friday (Sept. 27). Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North (2-1)	13	14	7	9	43
Southmoore (1-2)	0	7	0	14	21