Panthers pounce late
Christian Williams (10) is led by a host of blockers including LeCedric Haynes (56). (Bruce Branum/The Standard)
Defense wins championships and the Panthers were swarming to the ball. (Bruce Branum/The Standard)
BRUCE BRANUM/THE GREENVILLE STANDARD
The Georgiana High School Panthers had an amazing fourth quarter comeback win against the Isabella Mustangs Friday night in the second week of Class 1A Alabama High School Association playoffs.
The Panthers kicked off to begin the game and then held Isabella to four and out. After that, both teams moved the ball some but turnovers kept either from mounting a serious scoring drive until late in the first quarter, when Georgiana drove the ball down the field behind the passing of Jamichael Stallworth and the running of Cameron Longmire. With close to a minute left, the Panthers scored from the 6-yard line. Zeke Powell missed the extra point kick and the score at the beginning of the second quarter was 6-0 Panthers.
Isabella took charge of the game after that and scored twice with successful extra point kicks. Georgiana wasn’t giving up though and they rallied to make a scoring drive in less than two minutes at the end of the first half. The score was 14-12 Mustangs.
To begin the third quarter, Isabella surprised the Panthers with an onside kick and recovered it. With the help of a pass interference call against Georgiana, the Mustangs drove the ball all the way to end zone for their third score of the night. Though the Panthers were having trouble moving the ball their hopes were not dashed.
Both defenses played staunchly until mid-way through the fourth quarter when Georgiana scored another touchdown and converted a 2-point try, making the score 21-20 Isabella.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Mustangs fumbled the kickoff and the Panthers recovered it on Isabella’s 27-yard line. A few plays later Georgiana ran it in to give Georgiana the lead. The two point try was not successful and with five minutes left in the game, the score was 26-21.
Though the Mustangs mounted one last drive into Georgiana territory penalties and a roaring defense by the Panthers drove them back onto Isabella’s side and with one final sack of the quarterback in the last few seconds of the game Georgiana won.
Top performers for the Panthers on offense were Stallworth, Longmire and Christian Williams.
Top performers on defense were Powell and Jecary Brewer.
Georgiana will travel to Linden Friday night to face off against perennial football powerhouse ?
