FOOTBALL: Panthers stomp Dupo, but miss playoffs

Pinckneyville got the win they needed to become playoff-eligible on Friday night, stomping Dupo 42-7, but didn't get the help they needed from other teams and were left on the outside looking in as the IHSA announced postseason pairings on Saturday.

The Panthers were one of ten 5-4 teams that failed to get in, as was conference-mate Sparta. Pinckneyville's opponents combined for just 32 wins during the regular season. It took a total of 35 to make the playoffs.

PCHS was impressive as they ended their season on a high note with a dominant home win over the Tigers. Less than a minute into the game, Caulden Lazenby raced 47 yards for a touchdown as part of a 13 carry, 151 yard performance for the senior running back.

Two Dupo punts later, the Panthers went 64 yards in 11 plays - all runs - and Alex Howard took in the first of his three touchdowns from a yard out to make it 14-0 with 59 seconds to go in the first quarter.

Howard added his second 1-yard score midway through the second period, capping off an 11-play, 85-yard drive that included a key 33-yard run on a third down by Dalton Peradotto.

Just over three minutes later, Lazenby was in the end zone after a 20-yard run for six, diving at the pylon near the goal line to put the Panthers up 28-0 heading into halftime.

Howard (29-yard run) and Peradotto (2-yard run) added touchdowns in the third quarter for Pinckneyville. Both of them ended the night with 100 yards rushing on 9 carries, giving PCHS three 100-yard rushers for the game.

Quarterback Clayton Houghland threw for 43 yards on 5-of-12 passing, completing throws to Lazenby (1-8), Peradotto (1-6), Dylan Carns (2-18) and Sam Simpson (1-11).

Pinckneyville head coach Todd Thomas has now coached a pair of 5-4 Panther teams, neither of which got into the playoffs. His career mark at PCHS now sits at 14-13 in three seasons.

Dupo's 2015 season ended with an overall record of 1-8.