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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

SELMA – A dominant first half of the season continued on Friday, Sept. 26 for Southside Selma, putting together the team’s third consecutive 50-plus point performance in a dominant road win over Keith.

Already 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in region play heading into the matchup, the Panthers got a break from region play, but the effort remained as strong as it had all season, posting 56 points and limiting Keith to 12 in a 56-12 thumping.

“I’m proud of the effort that was shown,” head coach Charles Moody said after the win. “Keith and Southside football games have been great for both teams over the past six years. Every time we play, I feel that we get the best effort from both sides and both teams use the game as a launching pad. I definitely feel that this game will help us get ready for next week and the rest of the season.”

The rest of the season still includes region challenges with four consecutive region games next up, including games against Hale County and Thorsby that will likely determine this year’s Class3A, Region 3 winner.

In the win over Keith, the offense put together another impressive showing with eighth-grade quarterback Kole Moody continuing to show his prowess this season.

The young playmaker totaled 411 passing yards on 23-for-31 passing. His impressive effort also included three touchdown passes and a whopping 17.9 yards per pass with two interceptions for a QB rating of 121.4.

His top target was junior wideout Cedrick Simmons, who tallied 11 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown.

Senior receiver Derrick Surles also had a strong night, totaling 99 yards on five receptions with a touchdown. Fellow senior ArMari Towns added four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Senior running back Kendell Wilson also had an impressive night, making the most of his five carries, totaling 89 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way on the ground.

Kendrell Wilson also had a rushing touchdown with 46 yards to finish second on the team, while sophomore Richevion Beverly added a touchdown and 20 yards on two carries.

Defensively, Simmons showcased his strong hands on that side as well, adding one interception.

For the season, Moody is nearing the 2,000-yard mark. The quarterback has thrown for 1,899 yards and 22 touchdowns with half the season to go. Simmons has been a big reason for that success as a go-to target, totaling 835 yards and nine touchdowns on 41 receptions.

Surles isn’t too far behind at the midway point thanks to 30 receptions for 575 yards and eight touchdowns.

The two Wilsons have combined for 514 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on offense as well.

Defensively, the Panthers have totaled 12 interceptions with four players having two or more picks on the season.

The team is now averaging 51.6 points per game and giving up just 6.6 points per game. Those numbers remain among the top in the state on both sides of the ball regardless of classification.

Southside will now take on Hale County at home this week before a Thursday-night matchup with Sumter Central on Thursday, Oct. 9. The Panthers will close out region play with Wilcox Central and Thorsby before hosting Bullock County to end the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 30.