Times-Journal News Editor

Still hopeful of playoff life, the Southside Panthers came into Friday night’s homecoming game against Keith on a mission. They wanted to set state records, score as many points as possible and get ready for a trip to Trinity next week.

Well, the came up shy on the state records even though senior tailback Tony Myles Jr. punished Keith for 335 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries. Just in case total points figured into the playoff tiebreaker, the Panthers scored 64 to Keith’s six. And finally, they won’t have to pack for a trip to Trinity because they came up short to Dallas County and Bibb County in the tiebreakers (see above story).

Still, their playoff future was uncertain Friday night and the Southside seniors reveled in the chance to play another game.

“The worst thing about it, I just want to know if we made the playoffs,” Myles said. “If we made the playoffs we play our rival (Trinity) again.

I’ve been dreaming for that again.”

The Panthers came into the night with a plan to help get Myles and the other seniors a little exposure.

With a college football scout on hand, the Panthers set a goal to try and get Myles the state record for touchdowns in a single game. He came up three short.

“We’ve been working and trying to get to the state mark, we were going to try and do it,” Southside coach Chris Raymond said. “If we get into the playoffs we want to go in with a whole lot of momentum.”

The effort to more points on the board and get Myles closer to the record rubbed some of the Bears the wrong way. Keith left the field without shaking hands, drawing some jeers from the Southside players. Keith coach Harry Crum indicated that a pair of second half timeouts to stop the clock and get the ball back for Southside was over the top.

After a couple of good drives by Keith early, one that ended in an interception on the Southside 1-yard line, the Panthers took over.

Back-to-back touchdown runs of 94 and 37 by Myles broke the game wide open. The senior added scoring runs of 42, 24 and 26 yards. His average yards-per-carry was 18.6.

“We tried to go for that record but hey. I think the offensive line, we did a pretty good job overall,” Myles said. “I think I can end my career at Southside on a good note.”

Myles wasn’t the only senior going out in style. Michael Carter had a 26-yard touchdown run and Lattrell “Champ” Richardson had 10 tackles.

For the guys who get to come back next year, Jeffery Anderson had four sacks and a forced fumble. Jamarcus Hardy ran for 56 yards and a touchdown. Travis Shine threw for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Anderson had 73 receiving yards and a score as well.

The Bears ran the ball well early with Jatavius Turner pounding the ball inside. However, two early drives stalled when the Bears went to the air and either were sacked or threw an interception.

Turner finished with 57 yards on the ground. Roderickus Johnson went for 62 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears set up their touchdown with some long passing.

Ladarrius Jones completed a 55-yard pass, but it was Deonta Milhouse’s 44-yarder to Jerome Baker that set up the fourth-quarter score.

Baker made both catches and finished with 99 receiving yards.

With the loss, the Bears end their season at 1-9.

Southside’s season ends with a 7-3 record.