The Pelham Panthers defeated the Minor Tigers on the road 34-21 last Friday night to continue their quest for the Class 6A championship of football alive.

Their reward, a rematch this Friday night at home with the Rebels of Vestavia Hills, who bounced them earlier this season 27-0.

But last Friday night belonged to the Panthers.

Josh Thomason, the stellar Pelham quarterback hit for 19 of 29 pass attempts for 204 yards and three touchdowns. While he did suffer one interception, he also rushed 15 times for 59 yards and another touchdown.

Standout running back Wes Holland continued his winning ways rushing 17 for 134 yards and a touchdown.

This contest contested started out like it would be a catfight, but ended up a mauling by the Panthers.

Pelham and Minor swapped early scores making it a 14-14 contest. But the Panthers would add three more touchdowns before the Tigers could get another one.

Collecting those 204 yards of passing from Thomason were Isaac Bivins who had three for 24 yards and a touchdown; Holland who had nine for 80 yards and a touchdown; Russell Prince who had one for 14 yards and a TD; Shawn Lynch who had one for four yards; and Mike Stephens who caught four for 72 yards.

&8220;I thought we played a lot better than we&8217;ve played in a while,&8221; said a proud Pelham head football coach Brett Burnett. &8220;That&8217;s what we&8217;ve got to continue to do.&8221;

Burnett said Holland and Thomason played like senior leaders.

He praised his defense including Chris Brice, Daniel Spence, Patrick Powell and Alvin Hines.

However, Burnett made it clear that the win was the result of a total team effort.

What about Vestavia Hills who beat the Panthers 27-0 earlier this season?

Burnett said he thought his team played soft against the Rebels the first time around.

He said, &8220;We got to continue to play physical&8221; and he said his team has got to score when it is in the red zone.

The Panthers will host Vestavia at Ned Bearden Stadium