Kentrell Webb is a jack of all trades for the Paetow defense.

As a three-year letterman, team captain and signal caller for the defense. The senior safety has many responsibilities for the team.

“He (Webb) is the heart and soul of our defense,” said Paetow head coach B.J. Gotte. “He’s the leader, he’s the alpha and he is that guy that those guys rally behind. His versatility is what makes him special, he can do a lot. He’s a three-year starter and he’s really leading those guys. It’s fun to watch.”

Webb put his talents on full display on Thursday at Legacy Stadium against Galveston Ball, as the senior intercepted a pass in the first quarter and returned it 44-yards for a touchdown. Helping Paetow break the game open in what would ultimately turn into a 54-0 win over Ball in the Class 5A, Div. I bi-district round.

“We were in our nickel package and they had worked me there in practice and my coach taught me how to play it,” Webb said. “We had watched a lot of film on it because that’s where it all starts. I read the No. 1 receiver coming to the inside and the quarterback threw it to him so I made the play. Really it was my coaches and my defensive line that made the play possible. Once I had the ball I just had to do what I do. I made people miss and got in the endzone.”

Damyrion Phillips started the night off with scoring on a 76-yard run on the second play from scrimmage. Paetow scored later in the quarter on a 13-yard pass from CJ Dumas to Kole Wilson before Webb’s interception return put Paetow up three scores in the first quarter.

Phillips ran in two more touchdowns in the second quarter and Jacob Brown also rushed for two scores in his first game back from injury.

Having the two backs as a one-two punch for the playoffs is a relief for the team and they can’t wait to incorporate Brown into the offense more as the team continues their playoff run.

“There’s no drop off between either of them,” Dumas said. “If one gets tired after a few drives the other comes in and pick up right where he left off. It’s a great thing to have, we can just keep the momentum going throughout the entire game without any breaks or anything like that.”

Paetow took a 40-0 lead into half time but didn’t let up in the second half. The Panthers marched straight down the field and Brown scored his second touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run where he dragged multiple defenders into the endzone with him. Jalyn Richardson put the game to bed in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter.

In all, Phillips finished with 168 yards on 13 carries while Brown had 59 on nine carries.

“I’m so happy for Jacob to get back,” Gotte said. “Him being a senior and having the kind of year he was having prior to his injury, for him to work hard and get back, it’s just awesome, I’m so happy for him. It’s good, and I’m so excited he’s back.”

The Paetow defense knew that Ball would try to challenge them in the passing game, and the secondary stepped up. The Panthers responded by allowing just 86 yards through the air and intercepting Ball three times.

“We knew coming in that they were a big passing team so it was going to be fun for us,” Webb said “We like that, sometimes you can get lulled to sleep when they run it a lot, but they went pass like that it makes it exciting and we have fun. It was a challenge but we capitalized.”

The Panthers will face Manor in the area round 7 p.m. Friday at Cougar Field in College Station.

Paetow made it to the area round last season, but were unable to field a team due to a number of COVID-19 cases at the school. The Panthers have never played in an area round game to this point.

“One of our goals this year is to leave a standard for classes to come,” Dumas said. “I know towards the end of the game, we had a lot of younger guys that were able to get looks and play in an atmosphere like this. It’s great that we have the opportunity to leave a legacy as seniors. We want to be that standard for Paetow teams to be better than going forward.”

Paetow 54, Galveston Ball 0

First quarter

Paetow: Damyrion Phillips 76 run (Anthony Fuentes kick) 11:37

Paetow: CJ Dumas 13 pass to Kole Wilson (Fuentes kick) 3:49

Paetow: Kentrell Webb 44 interception return, 3:23

Second quarter

Paetow: Phillips 26 run (Fuentes kick) 8:26

Paetow: Jacob Brown 15 run, 5:11

Paetow: Phillips 5 run (Fuentes kick) 0: 31

Third quarter

Paetow: Brown 3 run (Fuentes kick) 8:21

Fourth quarter

Paetow: Jalyn Richardson 6 run (Fuentes kick) 3:15

Team stats

Individual Statistics

Rushing -- Paetow: Damyrion Phillips, 13-168-3; Jacob Brown, 9-59-2; Jalyn Richardson, 4-24-1; D.J. Johnson, 4-31; Jamaal Comminie, 2-28; Kaleb Molina, 1-10; CJ Dumas, 3-7; Kole Wilson, 1-6; Gene Kendall, 1-5; Bryan Del Cid, 1-3; Ball: Joseph Alexander, 11-23; Justis Thomas, 7-12; Seth Williams, 2-(-9); Will Cianfrini, 5-(-22)

Passing -- Paetow: CJ Dumas, 5-12-68-1-0; Koby Truehill, 2-2-19-0-0; Ball: Seth Williams, 8-22-47-0-3; Will Cianfrini, 2-4-30-0-0; Tim Brown, 3-5-9-0-1

Receiving – Paetow: Kole Wilson, 3-36-1; Justin Stevenson, 1-28; Jason Blue, 2-19; Damyrion Phillips, 1-4; Ball: Chad Walker, 3-36; Joseph Cianfrini, 3-16; Will Cianfrini, 2-14; Joseph Alexander, 1-11; Kaleb Gray, 1-5; Josh Jones, 2-3; Brice West, 2-1