“We’re getting better,” Panther Creek coach Wayne Bragg said. “That first game, we had a lot of kids playing both ways. We changed that the next week and started relying on some younger guys on defense. It seems to be paying off. Our defense played great tonight. Other than a couple of bigs plays I thought we played well.”

Catamounts kicker Garrett Lang accounted for all the offensive production in the first quarter – and in the process managed to play a little defense as well.

The senior capped the opening drive with a 42-yard field goal to give Panther Creek (4-1, 3-0 Tri-Nine) an early 3-0 lead. And on the ensuing kickoff, looking more like a linebacker than a kicker, he saved a sure touchdown with a gorgeous form tackle at midfield to keep the Catamounts in front.

“Garrett’s fast,” Bragg said. “He’s got one of the best 40 (yard dash) times on the team. I’ve told him, ‘If they break one, you’ve got make that play’ and he said he could do it. And he did.”

Apex (0-3, 0-3) missed on all three of its field goal attempts in the first half, as the Cougars’ offense struggled to find consistency. They managed just 38 yards of total offense in the first two quarters.

With 3:28 left in the second quarter, Panther Creek found the end zone when David Mayaka scampered around the right side for a 2-yard touchdown. Lang was perfect on the extra point, and the Catamounts took a 10-0 lead into halftime.

Apex misfired on yet another shot at three points midway through the third quarter, allowing Panther Creek to carry its 10-point advantage into the fourth.

The Catamounts’ offense found its rhythm in the final 12 minutes.

On the first play from scrimmage, Mayaka scored his second touchdown of the game on a 67-yard run around the left end. Holder Matt Williams took the point-after snap and plowed into the end zone to convert a 2-point try and put the Catamounts ahead 18-0 with 11:21 left.

Mayaka tacked on a third score at the 5:53 to seal the Panther Creek victory. The junior tailback finished with a game-high 187 yards rushing.

Cougars tailback Donte Smalls broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run late to avoid the shutout, but the game was no longer in doubt.