Panthers wallop Choctaw County 38-0

Marengo High is not resting on its laurels just one season after its first playoff win in 15 years. The Panthers opened the 2016 campaign like a house of fire Friday with a 38-0 victory over Class 2A Choctaw County.

Senior quarterback Cordarius Pritchett was 7 for 10 through the air for 147 yards and a trio of touchdown passes. He also ran the ball six times for 52 yards and a score.

Calvin Ferguson paced the ground game for the Panthers, carrying the ball 21 times for 102 yards. Alphonzo Lewis added 39 yards and a touchdown on four rushing attempts. Roosevelt Thompson averaged more than four yards a carry, recording 31 yards on seven runs.

Christion Wright proved the preferred receiver for Pritchett, hauling in three passes for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Curtis Autery caught two passes for 27 yards and a score. Thompson caught a pair of passes for 20 yards.

Marengo managed 371 yards of total offense, combining that with a stellar defensive effort to distance themselves from Choctaw. The Panthers saw 19 different players record a tackle in the contest. Five Panther defenders had six tackles apiece to tie for the team lead. Quindaris Ausbon paced the defense with six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Johnny Kennedy also had six tackles and two sacks while Ronald Bouler had six tackles and one sack. Clarence Tolbert intercepted a pass.

Marengo (1-0) opens Class 1A, Region 1 play when it hosts Millry Friday night in Dixon’s Mills.