By Morgan Bryce
Associate Editor
A slow start doomed Smiths Station on the road Saturday, dropping a 27-13 contest to Robert E. Lee of Montgomery.
Junior running back Clauderius Pickett had a monster game for the Generals, rushing for 168 yards and garnering two touchdowns in the first half alone.
Trailing 13-0 late in the second quarter, the Panthers cut the Generals’ lead to six, as sophomore quarterback Corey Minton orchestrated a late touchdown drive that was capped with a 22-yard scramble to paydirt.
Pickett’s backup Tedarrian Murray helped salt away the Panther’s chances in the third quarter, reeling off two TDs to extend their advantage to 27-7.
With 1:40 left in the third quarter, Minton added his second and Smiths Station’s final score of the afternoon on a three-yard quarterback sneak.
Except for one lone drive which ended in a red-zone interception, the Panthers never threatened the Generals’ two-TD lead the rest of the second half.
Offensively, the Panthers were led by Minton’s 191 yards of total offense, with 92 coming through the air and the other 99 on the ground.
The loss drops Smiths Station’s record 3-2 overall, 1-2 in region play.
This Friday, Smiths Station will host Stanhope Elmore in another crucial region match-up. The Mustangs also sport a 3-2 record, but 2-0 mark in region play.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. C.S.T. v Stanhope Elmore. Panther Stadium is located along Lee Road 298 in downtown Smiths Station.