Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – Making his first start of the football season, freshman quarterback Chapel Pope completed 3-of-4 pass attempts for 84 yards and two touchdowns – both to senior receiver Cooper Austin – in Class 2A, No. 7 Spring Garden’s 47-0 homecoming win against Gaston on Friday. It was the first time the Panthers have beaten Gaston at home in their 20 meetings.

Pope was filling in for his older brother Chaz, who broke his left foot in last week’s win over Hokes Bluff. The younger Pope also ran for 44 yards on just three carries and scored on a 28-yard run in the second quarter.

Spring Garden scored 41 of its points in the first half. The Panthers led 27-0 at the end of the first quarter, and the defense posted its fourth shutout of the season.

Pope got the Panthers on the board just 51 seconds into the game on his 24-yard touchdown pass to Austin. Andrew Floyd, who ran for 102 yards on just four carries, scored his first of two touchdowns on a 32-yard run with 9:15 to go in the first quarter to put Spring Garden on top 13-0.

Pope then connected on his second touchdown pass to Austin – a 51-yarder – to increase the Panther lead to 20-0. Larry Rogers added a 38-yard interception return for Spring Garden’s final score of the first quarter.

Floyd opened the second quarter with an 18-yard touchdown run, and Pope added a 28-yard touchdown run with 4:19 to go in the first half to push the Panther lead to 41-0.

Eighth grade tailback John Welsh scored on a 7-yard touchdown run 25 seconds into the fourth quarter for the final. He finished with 40 yards on four carries.

Gavin Bass led the Panther defense with seven tackles and a sack. Jacob Welsh posted three tackles, a sack and had a pass deflection.

Spring Garden travels to Westbrook Christian on Friday.