Behind the play of C.J. Johnson, French Camp kept its playoff hopes alive with a 41-6 victory over Hamilton. The Panthers dominated from start to finish leading 28-0 at the half and 41-0 through three quarters before Hamilton avoided a shutout by scoring a touchdown in the final minute.
“We had a good all around game,” said coach Nathan Wright.
Johnson had an especially good game on both sides of the ball. At quarterback, he completed five of seven passes for 121 yards with two touchdowns and ran nine times for 144 and three TDs. The 265 total was his best game.
As a defensive back, Johnson had an interception and five tackles.
The Panthers took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 20 yard pass from Johnson to Rob Surrette. Johnson ran for two TDs and threw a 50-yard scoring pass to Colby Walters in the second period.
After Phillip Carradine scored on a 30 yard run in the third quarter, Johnson capped off his big night by intercepting a Hamilton pass at the Panther four yard line, then promptly running 97 yards to the Hamilton end zone.
Carradine also had a strong game on offense and defense. He ran seven times for 103 yards and had 10 tackles, three for losses.
Surrette was the leading receiver with three for 64 yards and he booted five PATs.
Coleman Mackenzie led the defense with 13 tackles. Bradley Edwards had 10 and Holt Barlow had an interception.
As a team, the Panthers totaled 368 yards on only 23 offensive snaps, and Wright gave credit to the offensive line,
French Camp is 2-7 overall and 2-4 in Region 2-1A, with region games left at Vardaman Friday and at home against Smithville November 8.
The top four teams in the nine-team region will advance to the 1A playoffs beginning Nov.15. Defending state champion Nanih Waiya leads the region at 6-0. Noxapater is 5-1, West Lowndes 5-2, Smithville 4-2 and Tupelo Christian. 3-3.
French Camp must win its last two games and get some help to make the playoffs. With two wins, the Panthers will make the playoffs if Tupelo Christian loses its last two games to Okolona and West Lowndes and Smithville loses to Nanih Waiya Friday.
There is also the possibility of a three-way tie for fourth between French Camp, Tupelo Christian and Smithville that would be decided by point differential in games between the three teams.
“There are two scenarios. Either one is a long shot,” Wright said. “But we have to win out.”
Vardaman is winless in nine games and has held only one opponent under 32 points.
“It looks like they are a team that is getting better,” Wright said. “They’re lacking in some athletes like a lot of teams, but they appear to be trying to do things right.”
