OHS Panthers de-claw Fruitvale High’s Bobcats

The Oakwood Panther Pride takes the field in their first home game of the 2010-2011 season. Photo by Melissa Missildine The Oakwood Panther Pride has a lot to be proud of after their second win of the 2010-2011 football season. In this first home game, played in honor of the late Coach Steve Davis, the Panthers took on the Fruitvale Bobcats and sent them home with their “bobbed tails” between their legs.

In the first quarter, Fruitvale picked up the first score and the extra point. Oakwood countered with a touchdown thrown by quarterback Tra- vis Eldridge to Louis Collins who took it in on a short 3- yard run. Eldridge picked up the extra 2 points on the kick. The score was Oakwood 8, Fruitvale 7 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter began with the Bobcats getting the first score again but no extra point. Jerome Dawson picked up the next Oakwood score with a 22-yard run off Eldridge’s pass. Eldridge kicked in the extra 2 points. Fruitvale picked up another TD before the end of the quarter but the Panthers did not allow the extra point.

Oakwood’s Lane Agapiou (assisted by OISD School Board President/game commentator, Mack Botard) gives a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Photo by Melissa Missildine Eldridge and Damiyne Durham started things off in the second half, connecting on a 31-yard pass for a TD. No extra points on that one. Eldridge tossed another one to Junior Edwards for an 8-yard run and another Panther score before kicking in the extra 2. Robert Myrick then picked up a TD with a 29- yard run. No extra point. This brought the score to 19-42 with the Panthers in the lead going into the last quarter.

The Bobcats picked up a TD on the kick return in the fourth quarter before Oakwood’s Durham picked up the next two TDs. The first, a short 4-yard pass by Eldridge and the second, a sweet 66- yarder. Eldridge picked up 2 extra points with a field goal. Fruitvale got the last touchdown of the game to bring the final score to 32 Bobcats, 56 Panthers.

‘Keep your eye on the prize’ must ring true for OHS’s James (Junior) Edwards. Junior never even looked back at the Bobcats as he swatted them away on his way to the endzone. Photo by Melissa Missildine The Panther Defense had another good night as well. Howard picked up 9.5 tackles and 7 assists. Durham had 6 tackles and 4 assists. Cardarell Stubblefield got in 5 tackles and a TFL. Collins had 4 tackles, 2 assists, and a TFL. Jerome Dawson picked up 3.5 tackles and 3 assists while Christian Brummett got 3 tackles and a TFL. Alias Sardaneta picked up a couple of tackles and a TFL. Robert Calvert had a tackle and 2 assists. Eldridge and Shawn Jackson also picked up a tackle each and Myrick had .5 tackles and an assist.

The community of Oakwood and the visitors from Fruitvale were priviledged to hear a rousing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Oakwood’s own Lane Agapiou before the start of this game. They were also given a show by Fruitvale’s band and color guard at halftime.

OHS quarterback Travis Eldridge looks for his target. by Melissa Missildine The Oakwood Panthers will travel to Milford on Friday night with hopes of keeping the scores in their favor.