Nashville turns back Pinckneyville, 24-3

PINCKNEYVILLE - After kicking and forcing early field goals, the Pinckneyville Panthers figured to be in good shape in Friday's game against Nashville.

But the Hornets held Pinckneyville scoreless the rest of the way for a 24-3 victory in their SIRR Mississippi Division matchup.

Pinckneyville dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference, while Nashville clinched a playoff berth by improving to 6-1 and 3-1.

The Panthers got on the board first with a field goal by Ben Restoff with 5:24 left in the first quarter.

Pinckneyville had first-and-goal at the 1-yard line after a nice sweep run from Lucas Downard but had to settle for the kick from the sophomore Restoff.

Nashville tied it when the Panthers held on defense and Colin Laws booted a field goal with 1:57 left still in the opening period.

Julian Metcalf put Nashville ahead with a touchdown at the 7:15 mark of the second quarter and the score remained 10-3 until the halftime break.

Nashville increased the lead to 17-3 when Daymeon Baugh took in a 16-yard touchdown with 2:27 left in the third quarter.

Metcalf then scored on a 39-yard touchdown run to make it 24-3 with 7:05 remaining in the game.

Pinckneyville finishes the conference portion of the schedule this coming Friday at Carterville before ending the regular season on the road at Carlyle.

The Panthers need to win both games to become eligible for the postseason.