Published: November 07, 2009 12:34 am      

Panthers fall to West Mesquite, 51-8

MABANK — The season may have ended a week too late for the Panthers.

A once-proud defense, a defense that had worked overtime to keep this team in games all season, was ripped wide open in a 51-8 route by West Mesquite Friday night at Panther Stadium.

Mabank (4-5, 1-5 in 15-4A) was playing without defensive lineman Spencer Endelman and the team’s only deep threat, wide receiver Michael Tanner, was held out for disciplinary reasons.

And this came against the most talented team they’ve seen this season.

Without Endelman to plug up the middle, linebacker Nolan Duncan wasn’t able to make the usual dozen or so tackles that have been keeping Mabank in games.

The talented Wranglers scored on seven of nine first-half possessions, and that’s counting a “stop” for the Panthers when West Mesquite decided to run out the clock in the final minute of the half. The score was 44-0 at the time.

Quarterback Jordan Featherston never stood a chance as the much faster Wranglers blew by Mabank defenders all night long.

The only Panther touchdown, however, was made by the defensive unit when Jonathan Estill fell on a Wrangler fumble in the end zone after a terrific hit on the quarterback.

A high snap on the extra point try caused Si Frideley to scoop up the loose ball and run it in for two points.

West Mesquite scored on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Trevone Boykin went through a canyon in the middle of the field and scored untouched from 57 yards away.

A down or two was all the Wranglers needed on most drives, scoring runs of 40, 39, 30 and 35 yards in the first half. Boykin, who displayed a strong, accurate arm, also threw touchdown passes of 40 and and four yards during the first 34 minutes.

Along with Boykin, the Wrangles broke Ladarius Drew on the 39-yard touchdown.

The Wranglers also have an outstanding kicker in Justin Stout. He had a 26-yard field goal, which was simple for him. He also put a kickoff through the goal post, and he consistently put the ball eight and nine yards deep in the end zone.