As he anticipated Friday’s game at Oxford, Pell City coach Jay Brown said last week’s 52-12 win against Moody was good for the Panthers in several ways.

“It was good for us to play a good game on both sides of the ball. It was good that we got to play a lot of people, and it was good to win at home. We hadn’t done that yet this year. It was just what we needed.”

Now 3-2, Pell City faces “a very talented team” in region opponent Oxford.  Brown said the Yellow Jackets are also 3-2 but have won their last three games against Clay-Chalkville, Austin, and Auburn.

“They’re averaging 28 points a game, and they have at least three seniors who have committed to SEC schools, so they’re obviously a real good team.”

Against Moody, Panthers quarterback Justin Morgan completed all of his five passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 34 yards and another touchdown.  Tailback Tarez Elston rushed for 107 yards on seven carries and one touchdown.  

“All of that was in the first half,” Brown said.  “Blake Fuller also scored a touchdown for us, so he has now scored a touchdown in every game we’ve played.”  He added that offensive linemen Ethan Fisher and Brady Isbell also played well against Moody.

Defensively, four Panthers combined for a total of 38 tackles.  Skyler Smith and Russell Peters made 10 tackles each, and Jared Chapman and Corey Mitchell each had nine.  

Moody’s touchdowns came on two passes by Michael Barron, a 30-yard toss to Perry Best in the first quarter and a 44-yard reception by DeMarcus Lee in the third.