CHULA — The Tiftarea Academy Panthers have been sporting baby blue but lately they have been red hot. The Panthers opened their GIAA District 3-3A schedule with a 10-0 scalding of Valwood.

Tiftarea only needed six innings to win, holding the Valiants to two hits.

The big blow came early. With Dawson Butler and William Garner aboard, Jacob Joyner homered to left. That gave the Panthers a 6-0 lead in the first frame. They had begun it with Robert Garner driving in John Jackson, then William Garner scoring Winston Lamb and Robert Garner on a single.

Valwood’s deficit increased in the second inning, courtesy of three more runs.

Robert Garner and Butler drove in runs, with a third scoring on an error.

The game stayed quiet until the sixth when Butler ended the game with a hit that brought home Jackson Parrish.

Robert Garner went the distance, striking out 11. Butler had three hits. Joyner had three RBIs.

Tiftarea will play at Valwood Friday.