Third Round Bound: The AHS Football Team Tackles Their First Playoff Appearance

by Hannah Hoang   The Prowl News

Football Coach Allen Glenn gets the team ready for the big night –Photo by Gracie Ryan

The subtle anticipation of Friday Night Lights could be felt throughout the hallways of Amory High School last week as the band, cheerleaders, dancers, and football players all prepared for the first playoff game of the season against the Choctaw County Chargers.  Due to COVID-19, Amory had a bye week the first week of playoffs, giving them an extra week to work towards a state championship.  The Chargers were fresh off of a win against Water Valley in the first round (31-14.)  AHS entered post-season play as division champions, having beat key teams such as Nettleton and Booneville.

  Last year, the Panthers lost their first playoff game due to a last-minute touchdown scored by Independence High School. Deja vu kicked in for fans at Longenecker

field Friday night when Choctaw County scored a touchdown in the last minutes of the game putting them up 26-20.  As the stands began to clear out in anticipation of a loss, the Panthers made a fast drive to the endzone, and a touchdown pass from quarterback Hunter Jones (SR) to Braxton Griffin (SR) tied the game with seconds left on the clock.  As special teams took the field, the remaining fans took to their feet with clasped hands of anticipation.  After several flags were thrown against the team to push them back, punter Bryn Camp (SR) kicked the ball through the field posts, sealing an Amory win.  

Punter Bryn Camp, #18, (SR) kicks the ball through the field posts, sealing an Amory win–Photo by Gracie Ryan

Amory will play at Winona this Friday for the third round of playoffs.  A win there means a North

AHS Football Players support their team from the sidelines–Photo by Gracie Ryan

Half appearance for the Panthers.