Stone Memorial’s football game against Upperman Friday night in Baxter was a slugfest between two of the top Class 4A teams in the state.
The Panthers and the Bees delivered big play after big play, on offense and defense, throughout all four quarters. After all the dust had settled, Stone Memorial came out on the short end of a 21-0 decision.
The loss dropped Stone to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the district on the season, while Upperman improved to 3-1 on the season. The Bees are 1-0 in league play.
Neither team could gain much of an advantage in the first half of play. Both teams moved the ball down the field, but struggled to reach the end zone.
Upperman was able to light up the scoreboard first when Jack Smith capped a 63-yard scoring drive when he scampered in from 19 yards out for a touchdown. Austin Roberts kicked the extra point to give the Bees a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The two teams went back and forth throughout the rest of the first half and Stone Memorial trailed 7-0 as the teams left the field at intermission.
The battle continued in the second half as the Panthers started moving the ball down the field. Quarterback Max Warner generated the Stone ground game, thanks mainly to the running of TJ McDowell.
He also went to the air and connected with Dylan Phillips and Kadyn Page. However, Stone Memorial couldn’t reach the end zone and put points on the board.
Upperman tacked on two more scores in the second half of play.
Jude Fitzpatrick closed out an eight-play scoring drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Roberts’ kick was good and the Bees led 14-0 late in the third period.
Elijah Barlow closed out the scoring later in the fourth quarter.
He ran the ball in from 12 yards out. Roberts’ kick split the uprights and the Bees led 21-0 with 6 minutes to go in the game.
Stone will be back on the field Sept. 18 when the Panthers host Loudon for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Stone Memorial Coach Derik Samber could not be reached for comment.