North Oconee pulls away after early Panther lead
Panthers to host Putnam Co. in final home game this Friday night
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer

Kolt Owenby connected with Blake Gowder for two touchdown passes as the Panthers (2-7) held a 14-7 lead late in the second quarter over the Titans of North Oconee (8- 1). Unfortunately North Oconee forced a Panther turnover with the Panthers on the North Oconee ten yard line. The Titans would convert that turnover into a touchdown with just fifteen seconds remaining before halftime, to tie the game at 14-14. The Titans would go on to win the game 35-14. However, the game was much closer than the final score reflect as North Oconee added late touchdown on the next to last play of the game.

The Panther offense moved the ball well between the twenties but had trouble once they got inside the red-zone. The Panthers made five trips inside the Titan twenty but only capi- talized on just two of those trips. Union County also turned the ball over three times. Including the one that swung the momentum back into the Titan's favor right before the half. "You've got to almost play a perfect game to beat a team like North Oconee and this was one of our worst games defensively. We missed tackles and didn't make plays when we needed to," said Coach Peugh. After a long road trip you don't know how the kids are going to react. We left school at 1:30 to play a game at 7:30 and we just didn't play with the same intensity.

Owenby continued to provide the spark for the Panther offense with 205 total yards. He rushed for 97 yards and threw for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Gowder provided 90 yards of offense with 45 coming on the ground and 45 on six catches and two scores from seven and five yards out. Robert Heider supplied 83 total yards - 59 on twelve carries and 24 yards on three catches. Clay McConnell had one catch for 20 yards as well as two picks on defense. Jared Arrant accounted for 18 receiving yards on two catches. "The last two games we have ran the ball a lot more, which is something we've been working on. The opposition is expecting pass and we're just taking advantage of what they are giving us," said Coach Peugh.

The Panthers will play their tenth and final game of the season at home on Friday. The Panthers will host the Putnam County War Eagles (1-7-1). The Panthers played Putnam County in Eatonton last season and lost 14-13 on a missed twopoint conversion. "This game is going to be between the two most improved teams in the Region," said Coach Peugh.

After nine games we are a much better team than we were last year after nine games, going into the Putnam game. Putnam will have more speed but other than that, we are pretty even. We should have an advantage with them having to drive four hours to play us. We've also been practicing later to get used to the time change and the colder weather."

Statistically the Panthers have the superior offense while Putnam is tougher defensively. Union County is averaging 22 points a game on offense while Putnam is scoring 17 a game. The Panthers are allowing 29 points a game and Putnam only gives up 23 points per game. The two teams have played four common opponents. Putnam lost to Fannin County 13-11 and Union lost to Fannin 45-19. Putnam beat Oglethorpe County 38-29, Union lost to Oglethorpe 28-27 in OT. Putnam lost to Dawson 21-14, Union lost 19-7. Finally, Putnam fell to Morgan County 35-22 while Union lost to Morgan 35-21.

Kickoff is at 7:30 this Friday night at Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium in Blairsville. Everyone come out and support our Panther football team and lets end this season on a positive note.