By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — It turned out to a bit more tough than it first appeared, but Pascagoula got off to a 2-0 start for the second consecutive season Friday night.
The Panthers held off a visiting East Central squad that suddenly came to life in the fourth quarter 27-14 in some wet conditions at War Memorial Stadium. It marked the second win in as many seasons for PHS over ECHS after a 34-7 decision last year.
It also marked the first time in four years that the Panthers hosted the Hornets in this all Jackson County affair and just the second time in a decade.

“Hard fought game in the rain,” veteran Pascagoula head coach Lewis Sims said. “Both teams battled hard. It was a physical contest where both teams took their best shots. We took advantage of some opportunities and were able to get them off the field in critical situations. Our offense and special teams made big plays down the stretch that turned the tide in our favor.”

The two teams swapped turnovers deep in Hornet territory mid-way through the first period that ultimately led to the Panthers taking a lead they would never relinquish.
Pascagoula quarterback Silas Corder, just after he over threw a wide open PHS wide out for what would have been the first score of the game, tossed an interception that East Central defender Pacey Baria gathered in at the ECHS three yard line.
But just a few plays later, the Hornets returned the favor and Panther defensive lineman Sebastian Ford quickly fell on a loose fumble at the Hornet eight.
Sean Norvell carried two straight times, covering four yards each time, and the second dash was for a touchdown to make it 6-0 after PHS botched the point after attempt.
The score remained that way until there were eight minutes to play before halftime, when Pascagoula tailback Amarie Jackson scampered 15-yards on a scoring run. A missed two-point try made it 12-0 going into halfime.

The Hornets threatened late in the first half but Panther defensive back Tylan Wilson picked off a pass deep in PHS territory to end the drive.
Pascagoula turned to special teams to extend its lead mid-way through the third quarter when Mason Kramer booted a 35-yard field goal to make it 15-0 heading into the fourth frame.
East Central recovered a fumble on a Panther botched punt attempt late in the third quarter, and the Hornets avoided the shutout on the first play of the final period when Hornet fullback Cale Hollinghead took a direct snap from center and bulled his way into the end zone from three-yards out to make it 15-6 after the point-after attempt was blocked.
But East Central and Hollinghead weren’t done. He then rambled 23 yards for a touchdown five minutes later and added a two-point run to cut the deficit to 15-14.

However, Pascagoula quickly responded to secure the win.
Corder led the Panthers on a quick scoring drive in response to the Hornet threat, and he capped it with a 13-yard touchdown toss to Darius Carter to stretch the lead back out to 21-14.
Then, when the Hornets mis-handled the ensuing kickoff and Pascagoula’s Tomareo Johnson recovered the fumble at the ECHS 47.
Two plays later Jackson put the game out of reach with a 41-yard scoring scamper to result in the final score.

“Kudos to Coach Huff and his team,” Sims added. “They are a bunch of tough hombres that play really hard. We had to have that intensity for all four quarters.”

The Panthers, who shutout arch-rival Moss Point 48-0 last week, were trying to record their second straight shutout in the same season in 33 years.