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By Steve Franklin
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
WASHINGTON— Saturday was a day of firsts for the Rappahannock County Panthers football program.
They earned their first home win. Won their first ever homecoming game. Recorded the first shutout in school history. And for the first time, won back-to-back games as they defeated Chincoteasue 32-0.
“It’s a big day for our program," Coach Mike Williams said. “We’re playing the best football that we’ve ever played. A couple weeks ago things just started to click and now the kids are believing that they can win.”
Playing in front of the largest crowd to ever attend a Panthers home football game, Rappahannock County came out of the locker room sluggish. Quarterback Jonathan Butler missed his first four pass attempts, including an interception on the Panthers first play from scrimmage.
“I think Jonathan was a fittie amped up in the first quarter. He was a little off target,” Coach Williams said. “But he settled down and played a great game.”
The Panthers got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter as Steve Dodson intercepted Ponies quarterback Jason Tolbert and raced 53 yards for a touchdown with 10:07 left in the half.
Playing with the lead, Butler got more comfortable. The senior quarterback completed five-of seven passes in the final 10 minutes of the quarter and connected with Dean Hogan on a 14-yard toss with 51 seconds remaining in the hal£ At the break, Rappahannock County led 130.
The Panthers cantnte4i' the contest in the third “quarter as they erupted for 19 points.
Tim Fitzmorris scored on seven-yard run to cap a sevenplay 62-yard drive on the Panthers’ opening drive of the half. Fitzmorris’ touchdown run was set up by a 43-yard completion from Butler to freshman Connor Settle.
After both teams exchanged punts, the Panthers took advantage of a Ponies miscue. Ponies running back Matt Clark was hit by Nathan Grant and fumbled the ball near midfield. Matt Adams was on the spot, recovering the fumble at the Chincoteague 43-yard line. Settle’s run on first down went for a four-yard loss. On the next play, Tim Fitzmorris rambled 22 yards to the Chincoteague 25-yard fine. That run set up a 25-yard touchdown pass from Butler to Brook Stokes, giving the Panthers a 26-0 lead.
The Ponies’ nightmare continued on the ensuing kickoff Dean Hogan’s kick hit returner Igor Dize in the lower legs. The ball caromed 15 yards away and Taylor Yowell was there for the Panthers to scoop it up. Yowell picked up the fumble and darted 17 yards for the Panthers final touchdown.
“There are three parts of a football game — offense, defense, and special teams,” Coach Mike Williams said. “If you can win two out of three, then you’re going to win the game. Tonight we scored in all three facets and won in all
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