MONTICELLO - Magnolia struck quickly and went on to defeat Monticello 20-7 on the road Friday night.
"It's been a while since Magnolia has felt the feeling of 2-0 and we're going to enjoy it for now," said Panthers' head coach John Panter.
"It doesn't matter if it's good, bad or ugly. We found a way to win and we're 2-0," said the coach.
For the second consecutive week, the Panther defense dominated an opponent on the road. But it was the MHS' offense that sparked the team first.
Quarterback Kyron Sanders hit receiver Antoine Jones on a crossing pass during the first offensive snap. Jones raced 53 yards for the score and Austin Miller's PAT made it 7-0.
On the following possession with the defense putting pressure on Crossett quarterback Jeff Carmical, defensive back Parker Ribble picked off a pass.
Blake Hall intercepted a pass early in the second period that led to Magnolia's second score.
With the drive starting at the Monticello 25, running back Nile Cooper scored on a 6-yard run to make it 14-0.
The Magnolia defense forced six turnovers by Magnolia on the night, which included four fumble recoveries.
After a fumble recovery by Jakalon McBride, the Panthers drove 36 yards in six plays to make it 20-0.
Sanders ran in from the 5 with 25 seconds to play in the first half, but the PAT attempt was no good.
Midway through the second period, Devaughn Gales scooped up a Monticello fumble and return it 69 yards before being tackled at the 11.
The Panthers couldn't come away with any points and gave the ball over on downs following an unsuccessful 4th-and-1 at the 2-yard line.
After a scoreless third period, the Billies got on the board midway through the final quarter when Carmical threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Earl Milhollen-Thompson to make it 20-7.
For Magnolia, Sanders finished the night 13-of-24 passing for 164 yards and one touchdown. Jones had four catches for 78 yards and a score.
Justin Dockery and Devaunte Robinson had two catches apiece.
The coach credited his coaches for having the athletes prepared to play and for the players on the job they did on the field.
"I thought we executed fairly well, but you can see we still have a lot of things to get corrected," he mentioned.
The Panthers will play their first home game of the season Friday night against El Dorado.
Kickoff at Panther Stadium is set for 7 p.m.