Pelham claws out crucial region win against Benjamin Russell

Published 11:40 pm Thursday, October 6, 2022

By Lauren Sexton

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By LAUREN SEXTON | Sports Reporter

PELHAM – With region play winding down, the Pelham Panthers took advantage of a big opportunity at home on Thursday night, Oct. 6 against Benjamin Russell. 

A big second half from the Panthers, highlighted by two touchdowns from Kamari Hollis helped them pull away for a 30-20 victory. With the win, they improved to 4-3 overall, but more importantly, they are now 3-1 in the region and in a tie for second in the region standings.

“We got to keep the momentum up,” Pelham head coach Mike Vickery said about Pelham’s latest victory. “We played good on defense, we’re still gonna work on progressing offensively after losing Darius Copeland. We’re just going to try to build on it, we can wait and enjoy this one. Benjamin Russell and those kids played their tails off.”

Pelham’s offense added the first three points to the scoreboard after a successful field goal after one of the first drives of the game early on in the first quarter. Although it was a slightly slow start to the game score-wise, the Panther’s defense stopped several touchdown attempts in the goal and blocked several field goal attempts.

By the second quarter, Pelham’s Bishop Rallah and Will Fenton made some major moves. Rallah intercepted his first ball of the game before the half and Fenton recover Benjamin Russell’s fumble. 

The Panthers were the first to get a touchdown in the Thursday night game with little less than 10 minutes until half. The Wildcat soon followed the Pelham’s touchdown not too far after, however, the Panthers managed to stop the field goal.

Pelham entered the second half of the game with a four-point lead over Benjamin Russell.

Pelham secured their latest win during the third quarter. Two touchdowns made by Kamari Hollis added the lead the Panthers needed to get ahead in their game against the Wildcats.

Jamal Miles had a 50-yard return and another interception of the Wildcats’ ball made by Bishop Rallah led to the success the Panthers had. And John Schmucker made major moves stopping Benjamin Russells with a sack resulting in a loss of 11 yards.

The Panthers’ victory concluded with a slower final quarter. Both the Panthers and Wildcats added one more touchdown each to the scoreboard with less the two minutes. 

The Panthers won 30-20 for their third straight win of the season.

“We’re just got to keep getting better every day, week to week. We have a ton of improving to do and our coaches are doing a great job every week. I think they’ve gotten better and that’s a testament to the kids. We’re just going to go and take it day by day and try to put a plan together.”

Pelham remains at home for week nine of the football season as they take on Homewood on Friday, Oct. 14.

More Pelham Reporter

Pelham’s new playmakers bonding together ahead of new season

Pelham residents speak against rezoning due to traffic concerns

Pelham reviews more business licenses after illegal bingo

Voter turnout strong once again in Alabama, Shelby County

Print Article

SportsPlus

  • Polls

    What would make you consider a digital subscription to Shelby County Reporter?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...