Pine Prairie blows past Beau Chene to pick up first win

Image
Body

BEAU CHENE -- The Pine Prairie Panthers trounced the Beau Chene Gators 34-7 in a highly physical brawl to pick up their first win after a rough start to the season.
The Panthers improve to 1-2 on the year and will host Church Point Friday night in their first district game of the season.
Pine Prairie running back JJ Sims was the star of the show Friday night, racking up 260 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
“He’s the best running back in our parish,” said Coach Yves Prince. “I wouldn’t give him up for anything. You cannot give him any space whatsoever or he will definitely take advantage of it. Our offensive line once again did a tremendous job of getting JJ those openings.”
Despite the run game being established early, neither team could get much going passing-wise, with zero yards compiled through the air for both the Panthers and the Gators the entire night.
“We couldn’t get anything going,” said Coach Richard Morales. “I don’t know if it was us or them. We didn’t quit despite that.”
The first quarter started off as a stalemate for the most part, as neither team could get much going offensively. Although, towards the end of the first quarter, Sims racked up a couple of impressive runs of 22 and 27 yards.
That momentum was carried into the second quarter as Pine Prairie marched 64 yards in five plays to put up the first points of the game. The scoring drive was capped off with a one yard run by quarterback Damon Malveaux.
The extra point off of the foot of Landon Johnson was blocked, however the Panthers led 6-0 with 5:31 to go in the second quarter.
Beau Chene got the ball back on the Pine Prairie 37-yard line after the ensuing kickoff knowing that it was crucial for them to score to potentially lead going into the half. Despite that, the exact opposite happened with the Gators having a quick three-and-out, giving the ball to the Panthers on the Beau Chene 44 yard-line after a terrible punt.
Pine Prairie did not take their great field position for granted, scoring in just three quick plays. Sims carried the load for the Panthers in that short drive, toting the ball for all 44 yards, including a 10 yard touchdown run to end the possession. Landon Johnson closed off the drive with the extra point, putting the Panthers up 13-0 with 3:35 left until the half.
Beau Chene desperately tried to answer back, but it was to no avail as Pine Prairie shut them down the rest of the way, thus ending the half with the Panthers owning a commanding lead.
The third quarter started off with both teams trading possessions. However, Pine Prairie struck first, scoring on their second drive of the half. It took the Panthers only two plays, as Sims sprinted down the field 70 yards to pay dirt on a first and ten play from the Pine Prairie 30-yard line.
Landon Johnson missed the extra point, but Pine Prairie found themselves up 19-0 with 4:52 left in the quarter, regardless of the missed kick.
Beau Chene now found themselves in deep trouble. The Gators would need someone to step up if they were to have a chance of coming back in the game. Devon Wheeler was just that person.
With only 33 seconds left in the quarter, Wheeler picked up a fumble dropped by the Panthers and delivered it 75 yards for a touchdown, bringing some life back to the deteriorating Gator squad. The extra point was good by Luke Edmond and cut the Panther lead down to 19-7.
Beau Chene looked to stage an epic comeback. Nevertheless , Pine Prairie put a stop to their hopes very quickly.
Starting at their 48-yard line, the Panthers all but sealed the game, driving the ball 52 yards in 12 plays for the touchdown. Sims earned himself a hat-trick, scoring for the third time in the game when he blasted his way from four yards out on second and goal.
The Panthers took the Gators by surprise converting on a two-point run by Tim Goutro, putting Pine Prairie up 27-7 with 7:11 left in the fourth.
The Gators ended up getting great field position off of the following kick off, ending up at the Panther’s 43 yard-line. Things were starting to look up for Beau Chene, but the Panther defense had other plans.
Pine Prairie crashed the Gator party, when Isaiah Payne intercepted a pass, taking it 64 yards for another Panther touchdown. Landon Johnson kicked the extra point, as Pine Prairie increased their lead to 34-7 with only 6:44 left in the 4th quarter, thus shutting down any hope of a Beau Chene comeback.