Football Game Preview: Magnolia Panthers vs. Lakeside Rams

The Magnolia Panthers will face off against the Lakeside Rams at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

Magnolia's defense heads into the matchup hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Friday. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat Arkansas 36-0. That looming 36-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Panthers yet this season.

Magnolia found their leader in sophomore Carmelo McDonald, who picked up 3.5 sacks and made 11 total tackles (4.0 for loss).

Magnolia was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 279 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 203 rushing yards in six consecutive games dating back to last season.

One reason for the win was Magnolia's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for ten sacks. McDonald led the group effort, picking up 3.5 of those sacks all by himself. Getyren Williams was another major factor on D, forcing one fumble and making four total tackles in addition to snagging two interceptions.

Meanwhile, Lakeside faced Camden Fairview in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Rams snuck past the Cardinals with a 33-28 win. The Rams haven't had any issues with the Cardinals recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.

Lakeside's win came from a few key players Magnolia will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Peter Ohman, who rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Those 133 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Wally Wolcott was another key player, throwing for 253 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 76.9% of his passes.

Lakeside's win bumped their record up to 3-1. As for Magnolia, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 3-1.

Magnolia was dealt a bruising 36-7 defeat at the hands of Lakeside in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Will the Panthers have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.