Behind 416 yards of total offense the Pinckneyville Panthers snapped a 27-year losing streak against Perry County Rival Du Quoin Friday night with a 40-22 win.
The Panthers scored the first 24 points of the game and never trailed in the marquee matchup.
“We wanted to get out to a lead but we didn’t expect we would score the first three touchdowns,” said Pinckneyville coach Tod Rushing. “The good start gave us some confidence and the team really responded well. The atmosphere there was just amazing.”
Start quarterback Bryant Shute got the Panthers the lead with a one-yard touchdown run with under five minutes to play in the first quarter.
Just over two minutes later, Shute connected with Austin Pyatt for a 31-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers led 16-0.
The lead would increase to 24-0 late in the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run by Cole Kellerman.
Du Quoin got on the score board with under two minutes to play in the half as  quarterback Sam Gossett broke loose on a 40-yard touchdown run. At the break, the Panthers led the Indians 24-8.
With just six seconds remaining in the third quarter, Du Quoin cut the deficit to eight points with a one-yard touchdown run by Gossett.
The Panthers answered back early in the fourth quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run by JD Conner.
The Indians answered back with an 80-yard six-play drive that resulted in Gossett’s third touchdown of the game, a 15-yard run.
Du Quoin went for the onside kick and recovered the ball. However, the Pinckneyville defense stepped up and stopped the drive at the Pinckneyville 31 yard line.
Pinckneyville took over and finished the off the game with a 15-yard touchdown pass play from Shute to Pyatt, his second touchdown catch of the game.
Kellerman finished with 142 yards rushing on 26 attempts to pace the Pinckneyville offense. Shute added 97 yards rushing and 69 yards passing before an ankle injury slowed him down in the second half.
“Cole (Kellerman) had a great game, especially in the second half when  Bryant was playing with the hurt ankle,” said Rushing. We felt we could run the ball against Du Quoin and our offensive line did a great job of executing and being physical.”
With the win, Pinckneyville improved to 5-2 and will host Sparta (0-7) before ending the season at home against Dupo (2-5).
“We are concentrating on Sparta and looking to win our last two games to set a good tone for the playoffs and possibly get a home playoff game,” said Rushing.