MAURICEVILLE MIDDLE

November 6 (LC-M Administration Office) – Head Coach Adam Strandberg accepted a generous grant from International Paper for the MMS Football program.  A check in the amount of $2,541.90 was presented to Coach Strandberg to help replace football equipment that was destroyed during Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

November 5 (Deweyville) – The Panthers wrapped up a crazy 2020 season with a big 16-6 win over the Deweyville Pirates.  MMS took the opening kickoff and rolled down the field ending with a Tucker Floyd touchdown and two-point conversion.  The Pirates would also score on their first possession but could not convert the two-point conversion cutting the lead to 8-6.  The Panthers held that 8-6 lead at the half.  Floyd would add another TD/Conversion in the 4 quarter to put the Panthers up 16-6 behind great blocking by offensive lineman Clayton Farwell, Dilon Cabrera, Carson McIlwain, Jaylon Broussard, and Nathan Childress.  The defense played a tremendous game keeping the Pirates run attack scoreless for the final three quarters.  Kaden Boatman had a huge game with several key tackles while Mason Floyd and Clayton Farwell each had a sack and a fumble recovery.  The win put the Panthers at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in district play for a season that saw two hurricanes, a major train derailment, and COVID19 play havoc with their season schedule.  Below the team gathered for a picture at the pre-game meal provided by the 8th grade parents and served by Amy McIlwain and Amberly Craft.

October 29 (MMS) – A major train derailment Thursday morning a few hundred yards from MMS forced the evacuation of both the middle school and elementary campuses.  With the evacuation the Panthers were also forced to cancel their scheduled game with the St. Anne Wilcats.  No make up game will be played.

October 22 (MMS) – The Panthers district game with the Sabine Pass Sharks was cancelled when the Sharks notified Coach Strandberg that they would be unable to play the game.  The team still put in a hard week of practice and on gameday the Orange Naz Church provided a team dinner to promote “team week” at MMS.  Pastor Brad McKenzie shared a motivational message and then Theresa Henry and the Boyle family treated the team and coaches with an amazing dinner.

October 15 (Burkeville) – The Panthers came in looking to give Burkeville another good game having played them just two weeks earlier.  The district opener for both teams saw the Mustangs jump out to an early 16-0 lead before a Tucker Floyd touchdown cut the lead to 16-6 at the half.  Both teams would add second half touchdowns to make it a final of 24-14 in favor of Burkeville.  The Panthers score came on an Angel Mendoza-Perez touchdown and two-point conversion late in the game that cut the Mustang lead to ten.  MMS (1-2, 0-1) will have a bye next week before hosting the St. Anne Wildcats at Battlin’ Bear Stadium on Thursday, November 29.

October 6 (Bridge City) – For the second week in a row the Panthers schedule was changed up at the last minute.  MMS was schedule to play Evadale in a district game but the Rebels were unable to play due to COVID-19.  Coach Strandberg came through and was able to pick up a game with the Bridge City Cardinals B team.  The boy’s practiced hard all week and were ready to play no matter who the opponent was.  The Panthers controlled the game start to finish on both sides of the ball and would come away with a 24-0 win over the Cardinals.  Tucker Floyd, Angel Mendoza-Perez, and Brice Johnson each scored a touchdown, Trenton Marks had a big interception, and Mason Floyd, Dilon Cabrera, Carson McIlwain, Nathan Childress, and Dakota Pinner anchored a stingy Panther defense.  Clay Raney, Luke Scott, Jake Raney, Clay Moore, Bryce Busby, Blue Jourdain and the second team saw most of the second half action and gained some great experience.  The Panthers will be back on the road next week (10/15) as they travel to Burkeville for their district opener.

October 1 (Battlin’ Bear Stadium) – The Panthers opened the season with the Burkeville Mustangs for a non-district game even though the two teams are in the same district.  The game a fun one to watch as the two teams battled back and forth and kept the scorekeeper busy all night.  It was tight in the first half as the Mustangs held a slim 14-8 going into the break.  Tucker Floyd scored on a quarterback keep in the first half and added another in the third quarter that cut the Burkeville lead to 22-16.  The 4th quarter began with a Mustang touchdown that made it a 28-16 only to see the Panthers answer right back on a 48 yard Tucker Floyd to Mason Jay touchdown bomb that made it 28-24.  The Panthers would have one last shot late but a fumble was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Burkeville to make it 34-24.  That would be the final score of one of the most exciting games in the last few years for the Panthers.  MMS (0-1, 0-0) is set to open district play against the Evadale Rebels next Thursday at home. Below the team gathered for a pic during lunch provided by the MMS PTO.

September 24 (Battlin’ Bear Stadium) – The Panthers finally suited up for action after the season was put on hold due to Hurricane Laura.  MMS faced off against the Deweyville Pirates who the Panthers will play later in the season in district play.  The Pirates gave Coach Strandberg and his coaching staff a good idea of just where the Panthers stood after a little over a week of practice.  Next up will be the season opener against Burkeville in a non-district match-up next Thursday (Oct. 1) at Battlin’ Bear Stadium.  The Panthers are in a new district this season with Deweyville, Burkeville, Sabine Pass, and Evadale.