Published: October 21, 2009 08:42 pm      

Getting back on track

Panthers head to Crockett Friday night in must-win game

By SCOTT TYLER

Sports Editor



The Westwood Panthers know what is at stake for them after dropping the first two district games of the season.

Westwood is in a must-win situation for the remainder of the season if the Panthers hope to make the playoffs for the third straight year. That mind set starts Friday night when Westwood travels to Crockett. The game marks the Bulldogs’ homecoming and will kick off at 7:30 p.m.

“We know what we have to do,” Westwood head coach Kevin Anderson said.

Needing a win against Crockett, the Westwood coaching staff has been talking all week about how close the games have been in the past between the two teams. In the last three years, there has only been a five-point difference in all three games combined. Westwood is 2-1 over Crockett during that period.

“We have been trying to convey to our players how well we have played against Crockett these past few years,” Anderson said.

Westwood (0-2, 3-4) is looking to regain some confidence on offense. The Panthers have scored 28 points in their first two games after averaging 28 points per game during non-district play.

“We are lacking a little confidence after a couple of lackluster games,” Anderson said. “We need something good to happen early and often to help us get our confidence back on offense.”

Westwood could get some confidence back against a Crockett defense that allowed 525 rushing yards and eight touchdowns against Palestine last week.

However, Westwood will have to find a way to run the football with out starting running back Cameron Shead, who is doubtful for this week’s game. Shead suffered an injury against Brownsboro and had to miss last week’s game against Athens as well.

“Cameron most likely will not be able to play,” Anderson said. “But we are still going to have to find a way to run the football.”

After rushing for over 100 yards in each of their first three games, the Panthers have not gone over the century mark in the last four games including only rushing for a combined 142 yards against Brownsboro and Athens.

“We need to have better execution with our running game,” Anderson said. “The last two opponents have had good schemes and the execution has not been there for us.”

Anderson feels like teams are starting to bring pressure on the quarterback and that has affected the Westwood offense. Last week, Athens had seven sacks against the Panthers.

To counter the pressure, Anderson believes his quarterback Tevin Watson needs to run the ball instead of holding onto it, looking for an open receiver.

“When we get pressure, Tevin is going to have to ruck the ball and run and that may slow down the rush,” the Westwood head coach said. “Right now he is trying to hold onto it too long.”

Watson showed the ability to run the football against Athens, scoring a 32-yard touchdown and picking up a 29-yard gain later in the game.

Crockett (1-1, 1-6) also has its own quarterback who can run the football in Napoleon Dennis, who rushed for 200 yards two weeks ago against Athens.

“We know he is going to break away for one or two, but we have to contain him and not let him have a big night,” Anderson said of Dennis.

Dennis is not only a threat from the quarterback position but is moved around the field. Last week against Crockett, he caught five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a score and threw a touchdown pass late in the game.

“We know they are trying to get him the ball wherever he is on the field,” Anderson said. “We just have to make sure we are aware of where he is and swarm to the football when he has it.”

Anderson said he saw an improvement in his defense from the week before. After allowing 501 yards against Brownsboro, the Panthers gave up 313 yards to Athens.

“Last week we forced more three and outs and made them punt four times,” Anderson said. “We need to continue to be more consistent and not take plays off.”

Notes: Westwood defeated Crockett 14-13 last year when both teams came into the game undefeated in district. ...Westwood has only defeated Crockett twice in school history — last year and in 2006. ...Crockett’s other quarterback C.J. Wheeler threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown in the 54-35 loss to Palestine last week. ...Watson has completed over 60 percent of his passes (78-of-127) and has 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last week was only the second time he has not had a touchdown pass in a game this season.

————

Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com







Panther Statistics



Team Stats

Offense



First Downs: 98

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 205-970-4.7

Passing Yards: 1,451

Total Yards: 2,421

Comp-Att-Int: 79-128-3

Fumbles-Lost: 21-7

Penalties-Yards: 33-289



Opponents

First Downs: 108

Rushes-Yards-Yds/Carry: 251-1,636-6.5

Passing Yards: 968

Total Yards: 2,604

Comp-Att-Int: 71-113-3

Fumbles-Lost: 26-9

Penalties-Yards: 47-404



Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Cameron Shead, 69-490-7.1-6; Tevin Watson, 86-300-3.49-4; Domanick Turner, 27-132-4.89-2; Rodney Watson, 11-20-1.82-1; Bryce Lyman, 5-17-3.4-0; Nick Morrow, 3-9-3.0-0; Mitchell Coleman, 4-2-0.5-0.



Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Tevin Watson, 78-127-3-1,400-11.02-10; Bryce Lyman, 1-1-0-51-51.0-1



Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

Domanick Turner, 41-702-17.12-3; Nick Morrow, 14-296-21.14-3; Cameron Shead, 10-220-22.2-5; Des’Mone Williams, 10-100-10.0-0; Bryce Lyman, 5-61-0; Rodney Watson, 2-18-9.0-0.



Scoring

Cameron Shead, 66 (6 rushing TDs, 5 receiving TD); Domanick Turner, 30 (3 receiving TDs; 2 rushing TD); Tevin Watson, 24 (3 rushing TDs); Tyler Dillon, 26 (3 field goals, 17 PATs); Nick Morrow, 18 (3 receiving TDs); Rodney Watson, 6 (1 rushing TD); Kendrick Reeves, 2 (1 conversion).



Individual Defense

Tackles

Rodney Watson, 50; Domanick Turner, 43; Cameron Shead, 40; Mitchell Coleman, 26; Nick Morrow, 25; Aaron Stanhope, 24; Dustin Brister, 23; Theron Dingas, 21; Jacob McKinney, 17; Tevin Watson, 15; Bryce Lyman, 14; Kyle Carroll, 12; Todd Simmons, 11; Bryce Turman, 9; Rico Harris, 7; Tadarius Edwards, 6; Shaun Anderson, 5; Travell Jordan, 5; Kendall Calhoun, 4; Des’Mone Williams, 3; Dustin Campbell, 3; Kendrick Reeves, 2; Justin Nolen, 2; Dennis O’Bannon, 1; Tyler Dillon, 1; Jose Munoz, 1; Thomas Largent, 1.



Interceptions

Nick Morrow, 1; Domanick Turner, 1.



Sacks

Jacob McKinney, 1.



Fumble Recoveries

Jacob McKinney, 2; Dustin Brister, 2; Rodney Watson, 1; Tyler Dillon, 1.



Forced Fumbles

Cameron Shead, 2; Aaron Stanhope, 1.