HOUSTON - The Houston Hilltoppers suffered another upsetting defeat last Friday night as they faced off against the Amory Panthers. The Toppers came out strong hoping for a victory to send them into the playoffs, but soon realized it would be harder than anticipated.

The Panthers were the first to received and made their presence know on Topper field, scoring the first two TD of the game on a 15-yard pass and a three-yard run. The first quarter closed with Amory up 14-0

The Panthers didn’t hold on to the ball long to begin the second quarter before punting on fourth and twenty. The Toppers started from the 29 yard-line with Reggie Buchanan gaining a first down and following with a one-yard run for TD.

The PAT by Emmitt Dendy was good to move the Toppers to 14-7

The Panthers fired right back with QB Forrest Williams connecting with Ryan Hill on a 38-yard pass for TD and gained another two points on a conversion run.

The Toppers saw another opportunity come their way as Charles Heard got a pick to set up another drive before the half. The Toppers struggled getting the ball across the line but QB Shawn Wright hit Devoris Ivy on third and ten with a bomb for the 86-yard and the PAT followed to keep the Toppers in the game 20-14.

Panthers control second half

The second half saw the Toppers start a drive with Wright hitting Ivy, Will Kirby and Kentrall Murry for gains and Buchanan keeping the ball moving on the ground, they stalled on fourth-and-six with an incomplete pass and turned over to the Panthers.

The Panthers returned the favor, but the Toppers couldn’t capitalize and fumbled on their own two yard-line leading to an Amory recovery and score. The conversion put the Panthers up 28-14.

An unfortunate turn of events hit the Toppers when QB Shaun Wright was injured and came out. Sharon Wright came in under center but had trouble finding receivers and the Panthers stalled the running game, forcing the punt.

The Panthers seized the opportunity to get in one last score on a four-yard run by Lester Freeman. The PAT was good to put the Panthers up 35-14 for the win.

Upcoming action

The Toppers will have to face the Whippets and win with max points allowed to force a three-way tie with Amory and Kosciusko to keep any chance of a playoff berth alive. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Kosciusko.