CARY — Scotland and Panther Creek officials rescheduled their non-conference tilt due to the threat of inclement weather.
After the Scots posted a 49-13 win over the Catamounts on a dreary Thursday night in Cary, the visitors from Laurinburg showed it didn’t matter which day of the week they had to take the field.
Scotland scored touchdowns on all five first half possessions and the first-team defense held Panther Creek to one score en route to a dominating victory in its final non-conference game of the season.
The matchup was originally slated to be played today but was pushed up to Thursday because weather forecasts were predicting a 100 percent chance of rain.
Mother Nature still found its way to the Catamounts’ home field, as overcast clouds opened up midway through the first half creating a steady downpour for the duration of the contest.
The Scots opened the game with 21 straight points and led 35-7 at halftime. After the Scots tacked on two more scores in the third quarter, the running clock was activated before the start of the fourth.
“I thought we handled the conditions pretty well, I was pretty proud of our kids,” said Scotland head coach Richard Bailey. “Defensively we were lights outs, that team just keeps getting better. Our offensive line did a good job tonight, I thought Zamir (White) ran hard, and I thought (quarterback) Dashaun Ferguson had his best game so far.”
White, who scored four rushing touchdowns to increase his season total to 22 through Scotland’s first six games, punched it into the end zone from one yard out on the Scots’ first offensive possession.
After the defense forced a Panther Creek punt, Scotland marched down the field once more and Ferguson threw a 5-yard screen pass to Alston Smith, who ran untouched into the end zone. Fellow receiver Randy Leak sprung Smith loose with a stellar block on the outside.
The Catamounts were forced to punt once again, then White scored his second 1-yard touchdown run to increase Scotland’s lead to 21-0 with 9:12 left in the second quarter.
Panther Creek finally got on the board one minute later when Dom Samson threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 21-7.
But the Scots, as they did all game, had an answer as Ferguson found Randy Leak streaking across the middle of the field for a 22-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-12 play. White set up that pass with a crushing block while in pass protection, and after the play he gleefully ran back to the Scotland sideline.
“Zamir took a blitzing linebacker and decleated him,” Bailey said. “What I liked about it is Zamir was celebrating on the sideline, I don’t think he celebrated his touchdowns as near as that great block and that just shows the pride we have about doing all the little things right.”
With 46 seconds left in the half, White added a 10-yard touchdown run to his résumé to all but seal the game. Safety Jacob Young ended the Catamounts’ final first half offensive series with an interception.
The rain picked up in the second half, but Scotland’s offense didn’t slow down as White scored his fourth touchdown of the night from one yard out with 6:25 in the third quarter. After the Scots’ backups were inserted, Tyquan McNealy ran for a 30-yard touchdown three minutes later.
Panther Creek reached the end zone for the second time when Samson tossed a 14-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
Scotland is off next week as Bailey and his staff begin preparations for the Southeastern Conference season. The Scots will travel to Pembroke to play Purnell Swett in its next game on Oct. 9.
Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.
