By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM— After enduring a rough season, the Panthers won their first game Oct. 16, shutting out the John Carroll Cavaliers 21-0. Pelham’s strong defense contributed greatly to the win, seizing opportunities to gain field position and possession of the ball.

“I’m extremely proud of our defense tonight, from the opening of game all the way through,” said Pelham head coach Tom Causey. “We challenged them at the beginning of the week to create turnovers, we’ve done a really good job of that all year long. They did a great job of that tonight.”

Jon Drake led the team’s defense with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, followed by Vida Solito who had seven. Malik Copeland and Conner Christian each had six tackles for the night.

Griffin Rivers was back to take on the Cavs, passing two for 14 for 27 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Jackson Weaver lead the team with 14 rushes for 55 yards, followed by Giovanny Aidan who had 11 rushes for 37 yards and one touchdown.

JT Reed also claimed a touchdown catch for the Panthers gaining 19 yards.

“Offensively, we came out slow,” Causey said. “I thought the second half they did a great job of doing what we needed to do to win. They put together a couple of drives and kept John Carroll on the boundary gave our defense some time to rest. It was a great team win. We had a couple big plays with special teams tonight.”

The first half of the game was uneventful, filled with penalties and three and outs. Only five points were put on the scoreboard, all for the Panthers, but Pelham only scored three of them.

A muffed punt by John Carroll with less than three minutes in the first, resulted in John Carroll’s kicker making a field goal for Pelham. The safety gave Pelham two points.

The score stayed 2-0 Pelham until the end of the second. With 1:14 left on the clock, the Panthers gained possession of the ball on the Cavs’ 20-yard line. The offense was unable to produce an effective drive, but Jose Jimenez scored with a 37-yard field goal.

Starting the second half with the Cavaliers trailing the Panthers 5-0, Pelham’s offense switched into gear. Two penalties on John Carroll for unsportsmanlike conduct put the Panthers on the 4-yard line with four shots at a touchdown.

Despite going from first and four to third and 19, Rivers’ pass to JT Reed resulted the first touchdown of the game.

After John Carroll was forced to punt on its next drive, Pelham’s Blake Hester blocked a punt for another safety, giving the Panthers two additional points with 4:47 left in the third.

The game continued with each team’s defense holding the other until the last half of the fourth quarter. John Carroll’s inability to capitalize on a fourth down gave Pelham great field position on the Cavs’ 14-yard line.

Two rushes by Aidan resulted in another touchdown for Pelham. The Panther’s ended the shutout game 21-0.

“I’m really proud for our coaches and for our community. I’m proud for our school. Our student body has been unbelievably supportive all year long. We are excited for them. I’m excited for our players. We needed this win in a bad way and I’m really proud for them,” Causey said.