Sandies Take Down Panthers, 32-21

Win Moves Grapeland to 3-1

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – The Grapeland Sandies were hoping to bounce back after a lopsided loss to the Crockett Bulldogs a week ago. That game took a toll on the Sandies both emotionally and physically as the Sandies were without QB BJ Lamb while several other Grapeland players were nicked up.

As a result, the recipe for an upset was there to be had when the Normangee Panthers rolled into town on Friday, Sept. 20. The Panthers were 1-2 on the season but their two losses were only by a combined 15 points.

Grapeland, however, was not about to let a few injuries get in their way as Deco Bryant took over for Lamb and led the Sandies to a comfortable 32-21 win, with a big assist from Cadarian Wiley.  

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Following an interception and a defensive stop to open the game, Bryant marched the Sandies down the field and punched it across the goal line from a yard out. The try for two was good and the Sandies took the early 8-0 lead. 

After the Panthers offense stalled on their next possession, the Sandies were back at it. This time Bryant took to the air as he completed a 40-yard bomb for six points to put Grapeland up 14-0.

Following the TD, Cadarian Wiley took over the game. Wiley scored from 16 yards out to put Grapeland ahead 20-0 as the first quarter came to a close

Normangee finally got on the board when QB Izaha Jones connected with Brandon Brooks from 60 yards out to cut into the Grapeland lead.

The Sandies next possession ended with a punt but before Normangee could mount a comeback, a fumble in the backfield resulted in a scoop-and-score by Wiley to put Grapeland ahead 26-7. 

The score remained that way until less than a minute was left in the third quarter. The Sandies took possession at their own 24 and began to pound the rock. Wiley ripped off runs of 15 and eight yards to move the ball near the midfield stripe.

Cooper Ward came in for Bryant at quarterback and picked up two on the ground before connecting with Kaden Dupree for an additional four yards. Wiley picked up 14 yards on the next play while Ward added two to bring the ball to the Normangee 30.

From there, Wiley took it the rest of the way as he outran the Panthers defense to the end zone on second down to make the score 32-7.  

Normangee added two late scores against the Sandies as Grapeland began to get some of their back-up players a few reps. Jones scored from a yard out for Normangee and later connected with Luke Yellot on an 11-yard TD pass to make the final score 32-21.

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On the game, Bryant completed 14 of 18 for 212 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 95 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Cadarian Wiley had 22 carries for 236 yards on the ground and two TDs. He also added a defensive TD.

After the game, Coach Terry Ward commented on his team’s performance.   

“The first drive we went down and had an interception. We also did that on the first drive of the second half, but I was proud of our kids. The last couple of weeks have been kind of crazy. I’ve had coaches out with babies and we’ve been a little short staffed. But the kids have done a good job of overcoming adversity and I was very proud of their effort tonight,” he said.

Concerning Wiley’s monster game, Ward said he had “… talked to him early on and he would have to step up. He did and I was very proud of him. Cadarian played lights out. I was also proud of Deco Bryant.”    

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].