The Stone Memorial Panthers dropped their second game in a row Friday when they dropped a hard-fought 35-28 decision to visiting Loudon High School.
Loudon jumped out to an early lead, but the Panthers came roaring back late in the first half and got within a touchdown before ending up on the wrong side of a 35-21 decision.
The loss dropped Stone Memorial to 2-3 overall, while Loudon improves to 4-1 on the year.
The Redskins began the scoring early in the first period. After pounding the ball on the ground for several plays, Loudon moved the ball down the field through the air.
Loudon capped the drive when Bryer Oody ran it in from 15 yards out. Carter Meade kicked the extra point and the Redskins led 7-0 with 6:03 to go in the first period.
The Panthers got the ball back and chewed up some yardage in the final minutes of the quarter. However, as the game went into the second period, Stone had to punt the ball away.
Loudon took advantage and put together a 39-yard scoring drive. Donovan Underwood put a bow on it when he was on the receiving end of a 22-yard touchdown pass from Oody. Meade’s kick made it 14-0 with 11:52 to go until halftime.
When the Redskins got the ball back after holding the Panthers, Loudon drove 45 yards for a score. Oody got into the end zone, this time, from four yards out. Meade’s kick split the uprights to make it 21-0 with 10:17 on the clock.
Stone finally got on the scoreboard midway through the quarter when the Panthers scored on a 77-yard touchdown run by T.J. McDowell. Jasper Rector kicked the extra point and Stone trailed 21-7 with 9:17 to go.
Then just seconds later, Loudon scored on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Oody to Underwood. Meade’s kick was good and Redskins pushed their lead to 28-7 with 9:15 to go.
Stone Memorial made a furious charge in the final minutes of the period.
The Panthers got the ball back and drove 80 yards for a much-needed touchdown. This time, AJ Vandeveer capped the scoring drive with a 1-yard dive. Rector kicked the extra point, and Stone was within 14 at 28-14 with 5:29 on the clock.
After holding the Redskins on their next possession, Stone’s Carson McCoy scored from four yards out. Rector’s kick was good and the Panthers had rallied to make it a game, and trailed by just one possession, 28-21, with 27 seconds remaining before halftime.
Loudon put the game out of reach in the second half when the Redskins scored with 1:29 to go in the third period. This time, Oody ran it in from one yard out. Meade’s kick posted the final 35-21 margin.
Stone will be looking to get back on the winning track Friday when the Panthers hit the road to visit the Warren County Pioneers. Warren County is 3-2 on the year.