By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Pelham Panthers didn’t punt the ball until late in the third quarter during a dominating 41-7 win over region foe Wetumpka Oct. 5 at Ned Bearden Stadium.

“It’s a good night,” said Pelham head coach Brett Burnett. “I’m glad to see we got out and started fast.

“We’ve just got to keep getting better every day,” Burnett added.

Pelham (5-1, 3-1 in Class 6A Region 4) recorded 413 total yards of offense on the night, and quarterback Tanner Adams completed two-of-two passing attempts for 76 yards.

Leading rushers for the Panthers were Eli Beall, who recorded 97 yards on 13 carries, Jacob Nichols, who gained 85 yards on five carries, and Robert Hayes, who had 48 yards on three carries.

The Panthers chewed up most of the first quarter on a 75-yard drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by Tyler Brasfield. Austin Bowen’s PAT went right of the uprights, giving Pelham a 6-0 lead.

Beall added a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on runs of 56 and 2, and Bowen’s successful PATs gave Pelham a 27-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Pelham added to its lead with a 70-yard touchdown run by Nichols and a 35-yard run by Hayes, which was set up by an onside kick recovery by junior Josh Brasher.

Bowen’s successful PATs gave Pelham a 34-0 halftime lead.

After the Indians gave the ball over on downs to start the second half, the Panthers extended their lead to 41-0 on a 46-yard pass from Adams to Kenny Meadows and a Bowen extra point.

On Wetumpka’s next possession, Pelham’s Grant Wadsworth recovered a fumble on Pelham’s 34-yard line.

After Pelham was forced to punt it away, the Indians drove 99 yards to score, bringing the game to 41-7.

Pelham drove the ball to the Wetumpka 1-yard line but a PHS fumble was recovered by Wetumpka.

A few plays later, Pelham’s Dalton Sparks reeled in an interception, ending the possibility of another Wetumpka score.

Pelham will play at home again on Oct. 12 when Region 4 foe Prattville High School comes to town.