The Pelham Panthers jumped to an early lead &045; recovering a squibbed kickoff and scoring on a 21-yard run the following play &045; but couldn’t hold on against John Carroll Catholic.

After Drew Burleson broke through the Cavalier defense on Pelham’s first possession, the Panthers were able to score just 3 more points the rest of the game. Jordan Means kicked a 34-yard field goal to put Pelham on top 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, but it was all John Carroll from there as the Cavs would score in each remaining quarter to defeat the Panthers 17-10 at home last Friday night.

John Carroll quarterback Ronald Evans connected with

Alex Chaney for the Cavs’ first touchdown. John Carroll would later score on a 7-yard run and then a 40-yard field goal by kicker Brian Bourgeois.

The game was close on the scoreboard and the stat sheet as Pelham recorded 10 first downs to John Carroll’s 12. The Cavaliers outrushed the Panthers 132 to 129 yards and outpassed them 73 to 47 yards.

Pelham was penalized eight times for 58 yards while John Carroll was flagged 10 times for 75 yards.

Pelham (4-4 overall) fell to 1-3 in region play with the loss.

The Panthers will host region leader Vestavia Hills this friday night at Ned Bearden Stadium