Quitman nips Heidelberg

By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Aug. 28, 2004
HEIDELBERG The Quitman High School punting team gave, and then it took away in the visiting Panthers 13-6 win over Heidelberg High School on Friday night.
The Panthers put themselves in a hole early. Quitman took the opening kickoff but had to punt after four plays. The ball was snapped over the punter's head and Heidelberg recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. The try for two failed and Heidelberg led 6-0 with 9:51 left in the first quarter.
The Quitman offense came back onto the field and put together a 14-play scoring drive. Cedric Locke rammed his way into the end zone with 4:26 left in the first quarter to tie the score at 6-6. The extra point kick attempt failed.
Heidelberg fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Adrian Watts recovered for Quitman on the Heidelberg 32. The Panthers drove down to the HHS three-yard line and Chris Williams carried the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Jaymie Smith booted the extra point and Quitman led 13-6 with 1:51 left in the first quarter.
That ended the scoring, but the Oilers tried to press the issue through out the second half.
Midway through the fourth quarter Heidelberg had pushed the Panthers back inside their own 20-yard line before running out of downs.
Heidelberg's defense held the Panthers to four downs and Smith went back to punt. He boomed a 59-yarder that put Heidelberg on its 27-yard line and took the Oilers out of striking range. The Panthers kept the ball on the Oilers' side of the field for the remainder of the game and walked away with the win.
"The long punt got us out of a hole," said QHS coach Jimmy Don Holloman. "They have a good football team and can strike at anytime. Our defense played well and held them out of the end zone.
"This is developing into a good rivalry. Heidelberg will probably go far in their division and we wish them the best."
Quitman had 184 yards rushing, 12 first downs and did not complete a pass. Heidelberg rushed for 117 yards, had nine first downs and completed one pass for 16 yards.
"They were stronger than we were, especially on the line of scrimmage," said Heidelberg coach Larry McGill. "But we hung in there with the bigger school, and I thought we played a good game. This will help us get ready for our division."
Quitman will be at home Friday night against South Jones.
Port Gibson.