9U BC Panthers top River City (TN) to open 2019 slate

The 9U Bartow County Panthers youth football team won its opening contest Saturday in Dalton over the River City (TN) Bills, 14-6.

Kaiden Kent rushed for a pair of touchdowns and a total of 65 yards on seven carries to pace the locals’ offense. He had scoring runs of 21- and 25-yards. Cooper Melvin and Trace Hawkins followed with 38 and 39 yards, respectively.

Hawkins also connected on 2-of-6 passes for 33 yards. Both receptions were made by Kent. On defense, ten different Panthers recorded at least one stop each. Lance Tippett and Melvin led with seven tackles each. C.J. McClendon had five tackles. Jatayvious Whatley, Solomon James, and Isaiah Moreno contributed four tackles each. Jahari Whatley made three tackles. Kent and Javious Davis finished with two tackles each and Javien Finney had one solo stop.

James forced one fumble recovered by Davis and Kayden Blackwell picked off one River City pass. The 9U BC Panthers (1-0) await the release of the Northwest Georgia Youth Football League schedule, but will open league play August 31.