By Joseph W. Gex II/Sports Writer

KILN — The Pascagoula Panthers made the trek across the coast to Kiln to take on the Hancock Hawks on Senior Night. The Panthers pounced on the Hawks 35-0 to claim the second seed in Region 4-6A play for the second straight season.

The decision leaves Hancock at 3-6 overall and at 2-2 in the region race and pushes Pascagoula to 4-5 overall and 3-1 in the league.

Pascagoula took over on their third drive at their own 43-yard line. Amarie Jackson had carries of 17 and 11 yards before Sean Norvel had a gain of 10 yards. The fourth play of the drive saw Jackson sprint 19 yards for the touchdown with 6:13 left in the opening quarter. Miles Sprague converted on the PAT to make the score 7-0.

The Hawks took over at their own 10-yard line. Coleton Hopgood broke free up the middle for a 63-yard run down to the Panther 27-yard line. Consecutive seven-yard keepers by quarterback Kaison Koenenn brought the Hawks in the red zone. But, the Panther defense bowed up for two consecutive sacks combined with a delay of game penalty that forced a turnover on downs.

The Panthers took on their own 41-yard line. Jackson ripped off runs of 5, 17, 18, and 6 yards on the drive. Jarrad Loper Jr connected with Darius Carter for a 12-yard gain before the drive culminated with a 15-yard scoring aerial from Loper to La’darion Pickett Jr with 9:52 left before halftime. Sprague converted on the PAT to make the score 14-0.

On the ensuing drive, Hancock was bottled up and was forced to punt away to Pascagoula where they took over on their own 48-yard line. 

Jackson need one play to find the end zone on a 52-yard run with 7:48 left until intermission. Sprague converted the PAT to make the score 21-0.

On the next drive by the Panthers, Jackson took a break and gave Sean Norvel a try at running the ball. He delivered as he ripped off runs of 6, 5, and 15 yards as the final one went for a touchdown with 3:08 left in the half.

The Hawks had their most successful drive of the half following the kickoff. A defensive holding penalty gave the Hawks a new set of downs followed by a 9-yard gain from Koennen and six-yard toss from Koennen to Sebastian Collier. However, in Panther territory the Pascagoula defense stiffened and forced four incomplete passes to force a turnover on downs. 

The Panthers got the ball to start the second half.

Jackson had a 13-yard gain followed by a 12-yard completion from Loper to Jason Glaude. Jackson ripped off a 55-yard that appeared to be all touchdown until a holding penalty called it back. 

Loper called his own number for a 25-yard gain before Jackson had gains of 19 and 9 yards down the Hancock 10-yard line. Norvel picked up seven yards and Jackson finished off the drive with a three-yard run with 8:33 left in the third quarter. Sprague converted the PAT to make the score 35-0 and the running clock was instituted.

The Hawks were unable to find any success the rest of the way against a stingy Panther defense. 

Pascagoula head coach Lewis Sims commented, “Amarie Jackson and Sean Norvel were solid running the football tonight and it is probably the fourth game where we have had two 100-yard rushers in a game. We had been without Jackson a couple of games this year and it showed in our efficiency running the football. I thought Jarrad Loper played very well at quarterback. He is the all-time leading tackler at Pascagoula, but we have had to use him on offense this year and he has played well. We were able to force Hancock into some difficult situations on down and distance. This was a big game for us because it means we host the first round.”

Pascagoula was led by Amarie Jackson with 13 carries for 194 yards and three touchdowns while Sean Norvel had 16 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. The dynamic duo along with Loper combined to power PHS to over 350 yards rushing in the win.

Hancock head coach Michael King stated, “Early on when we got into the red zone, we ended up going backwards due to penalties and mistakes on the field. When we get in that territory, we have to be very efficient to take advantage of those situations. We did not tonight. Pascagoula is a very good football team with a Texas A&M commit on their squad. They really hurt us on defense with big plays which we cannot give up against a team as talented as Pascagoula. On defense tonight, Jayden Dekle and Kagon Anderdon have really stepped up for us. We have to turn our focus as a team to Long Beach this week and finish strong. The playoffs are still alive for us but we need to do our job and finish strong.”

Hancock was led by Kaison Koennen who rushed 14 times for 73 yards and threw for 56 yards. Coleton Hopgood had three carries for 61 yards.