Panthers not done with 5A just yet, take out Cougars
With the UIL cutoff numbers released Friday, it was made official this would be Ridge Point’s last season as a Class 5A football program.
The Panthers don’t mind it lasting a little while longer before the jump to Class 6A.
“We want to go 16 games in 5A before we have to give it up,” Ridge Point coach Brett Sniffin said.
Ridge Point upended No. 2 Crosby 42-14 on Saturday night at NRG Stadium in the Division II Region III area round.
The Panthers (9-3) are in the regional semifinals for the second time.
The fireworks came in the third quarter after Ridge Point went into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
Ridge Point added to its hot start after quarterback Shane Gosson worked the ball downfield and set B.J. Rainford up for a 1-yard plunge for a touchdown.
Then, the Panthers produced a stop on defense.
Gosson connected with David Packard for a 50yard touchdown and a 28-7 lead with 1:47 left in the third quarter.
Crosby (11-1) soon responded with a score. Tristen Cotton dumped a pass to Emmanuel Netherly and he took it 63 yards for a touchdown on the ensu- ing drive.
Plus, Crosby’s Joseph Pickney recovered a pooch kick on the kickoff and the Cougars had a chance to cut the deficit to seven points.
But it was thwarted by Shyler Staton’s interception.
Staton’s handprints were all over the game.
He had 32- and 35-yard catches in the first half to help build Ridge Point’s lead.
He also had another interception right before halftime to preserve a seven-point lead.
“Staton’s pretty good isn’t he?” Sniffin said. “He’s amazing.
“He did it last year in the playoffs. He had two picks against Temple. The guy rises to the occasion.”
Ridge Point added an exclamation point from which Crosby couldn’t come back.
Gosson’s strike to Mustapha Muhammad for a 31-yard score made it a 3514 lead with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter.
Rainford was huge in this game. He had 35 carries, 125 yards and three touchdowns.
Gosson threw three touchdown passes to end the game to put it away.
Sniffin said the team has prepared to revel in this moment.
Crosby had outscored its opponents 266-67 this season and the only other games in which the Cougars trailed were against Dayton and New Caney.
“Last week we played the triple option, which we don’t ever want to face,” Sniffin said. “We knew we matched up better with what their style of play was.
“Like I told all the other guys, I think our non-district schedule prepares us for games like this.”
Rainford had the same sentiments.
“We just found our mojo today,” Rainford said. “The environment around here, it was something we’re not used to, but we adjusted and we made plays.”