The cheerleaders sign read “Sample this Dub” as the Panthers broke through for the beginning of the Panthers showdown with Coach Reginald Samples’ former team Skyline last week. Samples had the team on point in the game at Kincaide stadium where the Panthers came out on top 31-14 giving them a 3-0 record for the first time in quite some time going into their bye week and district play.

The Panthers defense, for the first time in three games, looked solid in the first half, only allowing one touchdown in the first half, giving their offense a little bit of breathing room, as they put up 17.

The Panthers came out in the second half and scored a touchdown in the middle of the third quarter, but Skyline answered back with a touchdown of their own, making the score 24-14 by the end of the third quarter. The Panther defense wouldn’t allow another score for the rest of the game, as their defense held the Skyline offense to only 212 total yards and 13 first downs the whole game. They scored a touchdown near the end of the 4^th quarter which sealed the game, making the final score 31-14.

Senior Wide Receiver Tre Siggers made an unbelievable one-handed grab at the end of the first quarter, which seemed to be the highlight of the game. Siggers was targeted three times, averaging 10.3 yards per catch.

Senior quarterback Jaylin Nelson looked solid once again, as he led the Panther offense to another solid performance. He passed for 129 yards total and a passing touchdown, while also rushing for 93 yards, with a pair of rushing touchdowns. The Panthers are going to need Nelson to keep performing at that caliber, as they start District play.

After the game Samples said he was pleased about how his defense performed, but still expected a better performance.

“I wanted to shut them out in the first half, but we got lazy and gave up a touchdown right before the half.” Samples stated. “We got the win, that’s the good thing, but there’s still a lot of work and adjustments we need to make.”

Coach Samples is always looking for improvement with his football team, and that’s a good thing. He has high expectations for the season and won’t let his team fall short of that.

The Panthers have a bye this week, but start right back in District play next Thursday against Irving.

Sure, they’ve had a good start, but these are the games that really matter. They have to keep their solid play heading into district play if they really want a chance to snap their six year playoff drought. Only time will tell if the Panthers are able to achieve their goal of making a deep run in the playoffs. With teams such as top ranked Desoto, Cedar Hill and South Grand Prairie in their district schedule we will know very quickly where this team stacks up against the top of the area and even the State.