Veteran French Camp Academy head football coach Nathan Wright knew it was going to be a challenge to be a No. 4 seed in the MHSAA Class 1A Football Playoffs, but he just wanted his Panthers to have the opportunity.
"That's what you play for all year," he said earlier in the season. "Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen."
The upset Wright and his Panthers were hoping for Friday night didn't materialize, as homestanding Lumberton rolled to a 48-0 win to end FCA season with a 5-8 record.
French Camp had closed out the regular season with three consecutive wins in order to earn a spot in the playoffs. The FCA winning streak included wins over Durant (40-12), Ethel (49-8) and Leake County (48-12).
The Panthers opened the season with four consecutive losses before picking up a pair of Region 3-1 wins over Montgomery County and McAdams. After three straight losses, FCA then put together its winning streak to close out the regular season.
Lumberton led 8-0 after one quarter on Friday night before going up 22-0 at the half and then closing out the win with a strong second half.
Senior Dre Coleman had a huge game for Lumberton, rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries, while Jared Tribett hit on 16-of-21 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.
