MHS players warm up prior to a game in this file photo. The Marengo High School Panthers took a 22 - 6 lead in the first half of their season opener with the Georgiana Panthers this past Friday, August 29, and then held on for a 22 - 14 victory. The game which was played at 'The Swamp' in Dixons Mills was not only the first game of the year for both teams but also the first region game for both schools. With the win the Panthers move to 1 - 0 on the season but more importantly 1 - 0 in the 1A Region 1 standings.

Looking back on Friday's win over Georgiana Marengo Head Coach Scottie Jones found several positives in his team's performance. "I was very pleased with the play of our offensive line against Georgiana," Jones said. "They took control of the line of scrimmage in the first half which gave us the opportunity to get out to an early lead. In the second half when Georgiana was making a comeback, thanks to their efforts we were able to control the clock and close out the game." Jones also pointed out the efforts his offensive backs. "We played a lot of guys in the offensive backfield Friday," the Marengo Skipper said. "Some got a lot of time simply because we had the opportunity and others through necessity. On the whole I thought they all did pretty well but in particular I thought Tevin Davis had a good night and QuintinWatkins did a great job of filling in at quarterback when James Dumas was forced out of the game due to injuries. His stepping in like he did was critical especially since our normal backup James Bennett didn't dress for the game."

As for the defense, Jones gave them mixed reviews. "I thought our defense played hard and was solid in many ways but we gave up too many big plays," Coach Jones said. "We have got to be more consistent and not take any plays off."

In the game Marengo got on the scoreboard first when Tevin Davis plunged in with 5:25 to play in the first quarter. The two point conversion attempt failed but the homestanding Panthers led 6 - 0.

It was Davis picking up Marengo's second score as well when he blasted his way in from four yards out with 11:16 to play in the second period. Michael Watkins added the two point conversion this time and Marengo's lead was 14 - 0.

A little more than a minute later the Marengo offense tacked on another score when James Dumas hooked up with Michael Watkins on a 34 yard touchdown pass. Ontarrio Woods pounded his way into the endzone with the two point conversion and the Marengo lead stood at 22 - 0 with 10:03 to play in the second stanza.

Georgiana finally got on the scoreboard with 4:26 to play in the period on a 66 yard touchdown pass. The extra-point attempt was no good leaving Marengo on top 22 - 6 at halftime.

The only scoring in the second half came from the visiting Panthers of Georgiana when they struck pay dirt on a 22 yard run with 5:36 to play in the third quarter. Their two point conversion try was good this time making the final 22 - 14.

On offense Marengo's rushing leaders were: Tevin Davis with 94 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries; Quintin Watkins with 78 yards on 13 carries; and Marcus Richardson with 39 yards on 10 carries. In the air James Dumas was 1 for 2 for 34 yards and one touchdown. And on the receiving end of Dumas' aerial was Michael Watkins with one catch for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively Marengo was led by Jeremy Bouler, Larrance Pritchett, and Maraz Tucker with 11 tackles each followed by Bryan Rowden and Quintin Watkins with seven tackles apiece.

With their opener behind them and one win under their belt now the Panthers turn their attention this week to up the road neighbor and Region 1 foe, Sweet Water who defeated Thomasville 30 - 14 last week to move to 1 - 0 on the season. As the Panthers prepare for the Bulldogs, Coach Scottie Jones does so with guarded optimism. "We know that we will be playing an outstanding football team this Friday," the Marengo Head Coach said. "Sweet Water is one of those teams you can't afford to make mistakes against. For us to be able to compete against them we will need to play one of our best games. I have confidence if we do that we will represent ourselves well."

The game between the Marengo Panthers and the Sweet Water Bulldogs is scheduled to be played at Nolan Atkins Stadium in Sweet Water this Friday, September 5, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM