HOLLY SPRINGS - The Panther Creek-Holly Springs final box scores shows Catamounts gained 254 yards rushing and 189 yards passing in a balanced 42-21 win over Holly Spring Friday night on the Golden Hawks' field.

But what the stats don't tell you is how Panther Creek benefited from down-field blocking as the wide receivers sprang each other and the running backs for big gains.

With the scored tied 14-14 in the second quarter, Panther Creek senior wide receiver Matt Williams appeared cornered along the sideline for a short gain. But Williams made one defender miss and senior wide receiver Jamel Ross blocked the other defender, springing Williams for a 21-yard gain and a first-and-goal at the 10.

Two plays later quarterback Jordan Jensen scored on a 3-yard plunge for the Catamouonts' first lead that they never relinquished.

"The receivers work on blocking in practice,” Ross said. “It's not all about catching the ball. Blocking helps you get down the field and make big plays.”

Panther Creek won its third straight game to improve to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the Tri-Nine Conference.

Holly Springs is stuck with the tag of a team that's better than it's record for another week. The Golden Hawks, who had a win reversed to a loss by forfeit, are now 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Panther Creek's David Mayaka finished with 24 carries for 177 yards and one touchdown. He had five runs of 10 yards or more, including a 53-yarder.

Jensen bounced back from a sack on Panther Creek's first possession to end a perfect 13-of-13 for 189 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. His TD tosses were from 2, 16, 10 and 1 yards.

Ross, a 6-3, 215-pounder who celebrated his 18th birthday Friday, caught all three touchdown passes. His presence as a blocker in goal-line situations left him open in the end zone on play-action calls out on the 2-yard and 1-yard receptions.

"Our coaches try to utilize my size,” Ross said. “I try to make blocking a strength of mine, and the coaches do a great job of play-calling.”

Jensen spread his completions to four receivers. Ross had four catches for 31 yards to go with his three TDs, Williams four for 64 yards, Jalen McKoy three for 52 yards and one TD and Duke-bound tight end Daniel Beilinson two for 42 yards. "Our coaching staff and our offensive linemen made some good adjustments,” Jensen said of his perfect night after the sack.

Holly Springs scored first on Markez Davis' 87-yard run and then took a 14-7 lead on quarterback Mike Roach's 5-yard run.

The Hawks' final score came on Roach's 67-yard TD pass to Brandon Jones that trimmed Panther Creek's lead to 35-21 with 3:08 left in the third quarter.