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By LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – The Pelham Panthers were unable to match the Benjamin Russell Wildcats as BRHS earned a 27-0 shutout win on Oct. 18 at Pelham High School.

While Pelham was eliminated from postseason contention before facing the Wildcats, Benjamin Russell needed the victory to clinch a playoff spot with just two weeks left in region play.

The victory clinched a playoff berth for the Wildcats and keeps them in the hunt for the No. 3 seed in the region.

Benjamin Russell’s offense did its job to be sure, but it was the defense that put on a display in the shutout victory.

The Panthers had several opportunities to knock on the red zone’s door. After a fake punt in the first quarter gave Pelham its inaugural first down of the game, the Panthers seemed to find some offensive momentum.

But every time it seemed like they were going to make a real threat, Benjamin Russell came up with a stop.

Pelham’s best chance came late in the fourth quarter as the Panthers were driving the ball downfield, deep into enemy territory. But when Pelham went to its passing game, the Wildcats played lockdown man defense and thwarted the late opportunity to keep the shutout alive.

It wasn’t just the defense that did its job Friday night either. Offensively, TJ Wilson was a workhorse for Benjamin Russell. The senior running back amassing 130 yards on the ground and a touchdown, and his prowess opened up a lot of holes in the secondary as well.

Lajayvious Calhoun scored the first touchdown of the game, coming around the right side on a reverse and taking it 35 yards to the house. Alijah Johnson also threw touchdown passes of 26 and 36 yards to Kalib Robinson and Cederian Morgan, respectively.

Calhoun also did work on special teams, getting the Wildcats into enemy territory twice on punt returns. He nearly took one to the house but it was called back due to a flag. The Wildcats were without their star returner for the second half, but Benjamin Russell coach Smitty Grider said that was just precautionary.

Pelham finished region play with a 1-5 record as part of a 1-7 year overall. The Panthers will finish out with a pair of non-region games, first on the road against the Leeds Greenwave on Oct. 25 at Leeds High School.