Panthers spoil Moore's homecoming

Michael Kinney
The Norman Transcript

October 11, 2008 12:43 am

— MOORE — Moore’s homecoming night began in spectacular fashion. Putnam City North’s Ethan Elrod caught an 80 yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.
It was not the type of start the Lions had hope to have, but it was also indicative of the type of season they have been struggling through. With their 42-7 defeat to the Panthers Friday at Moore Stadium, MHS fell to 0-6 on the season.
Moore will look to end its winless streak next week when they travel to No. 7 Mustang. The Broncos sit atop of District 6A-1 after knocking off No. 1 Norman North Thursday.
In his first year as the Lions head coach, Scott Myers is finding out there are no easy weeks in the district.
“We keep getting them right in a row there,” Myers said. “It’s not too good for our confidence. But we will come out and get a good hard Monday, Tuesday practice and go take care of it on Thursday night.”
One of the reasons Moore has been unable to find any continuity is because they have not had the same starting lineup all season. The latest shakeup came at the quarterback spot. Taylor Gardner was moved from under center to wide receiver, a position he manned the year before. Ronson Calfy took over the signal caller duties and started his first career game against PCN (5-1, 3-0 District 6A-1).
With Gardner at wideout full-time, the Moore coaching staff did their best to make use of his speed and hands. Several times throughout the game, Calfy attempted to hit Gardner deep down the field with long passes. While most of them fell incomplete or wiped out by penalties, the senior still threw for 69 yards on 6-of-18 passing.
“I thought Ronson threw the ball well.,” Myers said. “Had a couple that got away from him, but if you are 6-foot-9, they come out kind of high. But I thought he made good decisions.”
A pair of Josh Booker scoring runs put the Panthers up 21-0 midway through the second quarter. He finished with 167 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, all in the first half. As a team the PCN racked up 356 yards on the groound.
While PCN was taking advantage of their big play ability, it was their defensive that controlled the game. Every time Calfy would roll out and look down field to make a play, a Panther would be on his back provided pressure. The Lions offensive line was unable to consistently hold them back.
The Panthers took a 28-0 lead into halftime and seemingly had the game put away. But the Lions came out for the third quarter as if they contest was tied.
On their first possession of the half, Moore drove 80 yards in five minutes and 10 seconds. It ended with a Taylor Johnson 10-yard touchdown run.
“That was the best offensive drive we have had,” Myers said. “They could have folded their tents. But they came out ready to play.”
However, Greg Lewis put the Panthers back up by 28 with a 32-yard scamper into the endzone on the ensuing possession. Frantz put the game the bed with a 12-yard touchdown run right before the third period ended that put them up led 42-7.
The Lions have improve every week, but they are not just looking to play better. A win would be nice.
“I don’t believe in moral victories,” Myers said. “But you do take the positives when they come. That’s where we are at.”
Michael Kinney
366-3537
mkinney@normantranscript.com