The Hancock Hawks dropped their homecoming game 37-7 friday to the Pascagoula Panthers Friday evening. As if the Hawks 17th straight loss was not enough, the game showed all of the Hawks alumni just how far the Hawks need to go to achieve the level of respectability the had just a few short years ago.

“We played better tonight than we did last week,” head coach Brian Barkley said. “Our youth and inexperience is killing us. I am happy with the way we played, we played hard, but we need to get better and get more speed.”

Before the Hawks fans could settle in the Panthers had taken a 14-0 lead.

Panther running back Jonathan Deflanders opened the scoring with a 16-yard score, and quarterback Cal Mitchell connected with Vic Ballard for a 52-yard touchdown pass.

The Panthers threatened on their third drive; however, Michael Cuevas intercepted a Mitchell pass at the eight-yard-line.

The sudden momentum did not last long, as the Hawks would fumble a handoff, and be forced to cover it in the end-zone for a Panther safety.

One the Panthers first play after the kickoff, DeFlanders struck again, this time for a 44-yard touchdown run.

After the first quarter the Panther led 23-0.

The Hawks got on the board with a 12-play drive which spanned 72-yards. Quarterback Brentley Necaise connected with Chris Bankston for a 55-yard catch and run to set up the touchdown. Necaise ended the drive with a one-yard plunge. Josh Barfield added the point after, and the Hawks were on the board 23-7.

The Panthers added a late touchdown in the half, and took a 30-7 lead into the break.

The Hawks were not able to add any more points to their total, and the Panthers score a last touchdown with :30 seconds to play.

The Hawks were led on offense by senior tailback Trey McLeoud. He rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries. Dustin Johnson added 42 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively the Hawks were led by Necaise and Chase McIver. Necaise recorded eight stops, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. McIver had a sack, and seven tackles.

The Hawks once again played a number of freshmen throughout the game.

Barkley said he sees a lot of potential in his young group.

“They just have to get out there and go,” he said. “We are still trying to win games, but the young guys are going to get a lot of playing time.”

Hancock goes to Gulfport Friday.