The Daily Times

LENOIR CITY — Coming off their best win of the season, the Lenoir City Panthers had no intention of letting William Blount stick around as the offense and defense dominated on the way to a 42-7 win in District 4-AAA play Friday in Lenoir City.

Quarterback Jordan Hall orchestrated the offense for Lenoir City behind strong offensive line play.

“We knew they were going to try to throw it all over the field,” Governors’ coach David Gregory said. “We had to stop the quarterback. We didn’t get pressure on him and he was able to get passes off.”

Holding William Blount to a three and out to start the game, the Panthers were able to score quickly on their opening drive.

On Lenoir City’s first play from scrimmage, Hall connected with his tight end Lucas Hamilton for 40 yards. Three plays, and four penalties, later Hall found Mason Sharpe for a 9-yard touchdown.

After another William Blount three and out the Panthers took possession on the William Blount 20 following a punt of only 12 yards.

Hall had a pass intercepted. The defense held and Hall was able to make up for the turnover, connecting with Jordan Willis who broke two tackles on his way to a 38-yard touchdown strike.

William Blount was able to pick up three first downs on their next possession, but after an intentional grounding call were forced into a fourth-and-28 play.

As the Governors attempted to punt, Lane Womack broke through the line, blocking the kick.

Jaylond Woods ran the ball in from 5 yards out on the next play.

The next Panthers possession ended with a turnover on downs, but Woods intercepted a William Blount pass to regain possession.

Four plays later Hall passed to Woods for a 44-yard touchdown. For the second time in the game, Hall’s receiver was able to shake of a tackler on the way to the end zone.

Woods wasn’t done making big plays, as he intercepted another pass three plays later, returning the ball 68 yards for a touchdown.

“It felt amazing,” Woods said. “It felt really good.”

Lenoir City intercepted the Governors again on the ensuing possession. This time it was Hamilton, who ran the ball back 70 yards before being brought down at the five.

Jordan Hall ran the ball in from one yard out three plays later.

At the break the Panthers led William Blount 42-0. Woods called the scoring output fun.

Head coach Mike Zeller said he felt like the team’s first half performance was its most complete of the season.

Lenoir City came out after the break with their second team on offense and defense. Up by at least 35, the clock would keep running throughout the remainder of the game in accordance to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association mercy rule.

William Blount did manage to cross the goal line once in the game when Lane Bloom rushed in from 15 yards out early in the fourth quarter.

The Governors finish the season with homes games against Maryville and Farragut.

“Times like these you wish you had all the answers, but you don’t,” Gregory said. “You’ve just got to keep working.”