By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Pelham Panthers smashed visiting Class 5A Paul Bryant High School 28-0 to start the season off right on Aug. 30.

The Panthers recorded nearly 300 total yards of offense in its shutout of the Stampede, 256 of which came on the ground.

“Defensively, I thought we did fairly well. Anytime you shut somebody out, it’s a good win,” said PHS head coach Brett Burnett. “We just have to continue to get better. We’ve got to go to work this week and get ready for our first region game.”

Defensively, Josh Brasher recorded six tackles, while Christian Davis recorded five.

Terrell Blevins and Logan Burnett each recorded an interception, with Burnett scoring a touchdown on his.

After Pelham placekicker Austin Bowen’s 39-yard field goal attempt sailed left of the uprights in the first play of the second quarter, Pelham jumped on the board on a 16-yard run by Devon Mines midway through the second quarter.

Bowen’s extra point attempt split the uprights to give Pelham a 7-0 lead.

On the Panthers’ next possession, Mines added another touchdown on a 42-yard run. Holden Robertson’s PAT attempt fell short, putting Pelham up 13-0 with 4:36 left in the second quarter.

A little more than a minute later, the Panthers lit up the scoreboard again when Logan Burnett picked off a Stampede pass on the Paul Bryant 14-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.

Mines scrambled into the end zone for the successful two-point conversion, putting Pelham up 21-0 at the half.

On its second possession of the third quarter, Pelham added to its lead when Mines ran into the end zone from one yard out. Robertson’s PAT sailed through the uprights to bring the game to 28-0 in Pelham’s favor late in the third quarter.

Following the game, Pelham senior defensive lineman Braxton Hoyett announced his college football destination by pulling out a Mississippi State University baseball cap and putting it on during a ceremony with his teammates.

Pelham will open region play on Sept. 6 when it hosts the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs.