Gators fall to E.O. Coffman in conference bowl game
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The North Middle School Gators lost to the E.O. Coffman Panthers 44-0 at home Tuesday in a Central Tennessee Conference bowl game.
The Panthers scored at least one every touchdown in every quarter while the Gators were held scoreless for the second time this season in the loss.
The Panthers started the contest on North’s side of the field after a short kickoff, but the ball was fumbled away a few plays later with Logan Kirk making the recovery for the Gators.
Following a punt from the Gators on the ensuing drive, the Panthers drove down the field and scored on a rushing touchdown with 3:23 left in the opening period. A successful two-point conversion after the score put the early deficit at 8-0.
A long completion between North quarterback Colson Kelley and Logan Polkinghorn brought the ball down to the Panthers’ 25-yard line, but the Gators turned the ball over on a fumble one play later.
Easton Brandon racked up two sacks for the Gators on defense to push the Panthers back on their next drive and force a punt.
The Gators were then unable to convert a fourth down in their own territory, and the Panthers broke off a 37-yard touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage to grow the deficit to 16-0 with 6:44 left in the first half.
After the teams traded punts, the Gators turned the ball over again with an interception by the Panthers being returned to North’s 25-yard line.
The Panthers took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown on the ground a few plays later to make it a 22-point game in the final minute of the half.
The Gators trailed 22-0 at halftime.
The Gators punted the ball away on the first drive of the third quarter with the kick being run back to their own 20-yard line.
The Panthers followed up with another rushing score with 4:12 left in the third quarter to push their advantage up to 28-0.
A completed pass over the middle from Kelley to Tony Perales briefly moved the ball into E.O. Coffman’s territory, but the Panthers ripped the ball out of Perales’ hands and recovered the fumble for a turnover on the same play.
The Gators pushed the Panthers backward to start the ensuing possession, but a running back for the Panthers then escaped for a 71-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 36-0 game with nine seconds left in the third quarter.
The Panthers added one more touchdown on a defensive score as an interception thrown by the Gators was returned to the end zone with three minutes to go in the contest. The touchdown and the two-point conversion afterward put the score at 44-0.
With a running clock active, the Gators elected not to run another play as they lost by 44 points.
With the loss, the Gators moved to 1-6 on the season.
They will next play Tuesday against South Middle School at the old high school football field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

