Some teams are measured by the score. This one should be measured by its heart. Battling injuries, exhaustion, and a lineup missing key starters, the Washington County High School Panthers refused to quit against Southside on Thursday and Rocky Mount Prep earlier in the week — and left both games having earned ev ery bit of respect a score board can’t show.

For more information, check out the Sept. 9, 2026, edition of the Roanoke Beacon.