By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The 0-3 Pelham Panthers travelled to Walker High School Sept. 18 with hopes to break the Vikings’ winning streak, but was unable to overpower the stiff defense and dominant offense of the team.

Penalties, interceptions and Pelham’s inability to capitalize on big plays contributed to the Panthers falling to the Vikings 41-14.

The Vikings struck the Panthers hard and fast with two back-to-back touchdowns within the first five minutes of the first. Junior Marqell Oliver began the momentum with an 80-yard touchdown pass.

Pelham’s receiver fumbled after the kick-off, allowing Walker to recover the ball on the red zone.  A 5-yard catch by Mcklendon Jones and a touchdown catch by Myron Mitchell set the score 14-0 Walker with 7:26 left in the first quarter.

After Pelham’s John Michael Long took down a 31-yard run, Pelham’s offense failed to capitalize on a 13-yard gain by Kasey Clark. Walker answered with a series of plays by Jaylon Simon, Ethan Walker and Oliver, resulting in an additional touchdown for the Vikings with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.

Pelham started the second trailing three touchdowns behind Walker 21-0. They showed some promise, but were ultimately forced to punt to the Vikings’ own 15-yard line.

A 15-yard run by Lyndon Harris and a 9-yard run by Marlon Oliver led the way for a 61-yard touchdown catch by Mitchell, putting the score 27-0 Walker with 9:13 left in the second.

An interception by Walker gave the Vikings the ball once again, this time on Pelham’s 35-yard line. Walker was unable to sustain a drive. The Panthers started out on their own 24-yard line and inched up the field to the 45-yard line, but Walker’s defense pushed them back to the 26.

Walker’s offense pushed into the red zone with gains by Marlon Oliver, Marqell Oliver and Lamykah Hood, and the Vikings scored again to end the first half 34-0.

Walker’s defense proved too strong for Pelham’s offense in the third quarter, and the Vikings’ powerful offense struck again with a 16-yard gain by Marlon Oliver and a 56-yard touchdown catch by Mitchell.

Pelham was convinced not to go down without a fight and was finally able to get on the scoreboard after a series of plays by Rivers and a 7-yard catch by Cody Verner. Heading into the fourth quarter, Walker led Pelham 41-7.

Pelham’s offense found its fire in the fourth quarter and came out strong with a 14-yard catch by Jt Reed. A 9-yard gain by Rivers and a 24-yard run by Verner allowed Giovanny Adan to punch the ball to the 1-yard line. Panthers scored, bringing the score 41-14 Vikings.

“We came out again just like we did last week. We gave up too many easy scores and didn’t get anything going offensively,” said head coach Tom Causey. “We waited until the second half to execute and we’ve got to find a way to get a good start. It’s been our Achilles heel all year long.

“We’ve got to do something different. We’ve got to find a way to get a good start and to come out, make some plays early and give ourselves the chance to win the ball game.”