Panthers win Battle of 8 Mile

BY RAY VAN COR

The Greenville Standard

 

The Battle of 8 Mile was a lower county cat fight featuring the 1A rivals McKenzie Tigers versus the Panthers of Georgiana and the eight miles that separate the two schools.

This year’s football fracas took place in the Tigers backyard in McKenzie and the stadium was filled to capacity for this game, standing room only.

McKenzie was undefeated at 3-0 having defeated two 3A teams, Prattville Christian Academy and Wilcox Central, and beating 1A powerhouse Elba in an 80-78 four overtime victory.

The Tigers were a 15.7-point favorite for this game. Georgiana’s season record was 2-1 with their only loss to a 5A Greenville Tigers team, but the Panthers had two straight victories over the Florala Wildcats and the 2A Ariton Purple Cats.

First quarter action saw the Tigers started with an aerial attack, but the Panthers defense shut them down.

Georgiana opened up their own passing display and three passes got them to the Tigers nine yard line.

Georgiana’s Bernard McCaster scored drawing first blood and with the two-point conversion made it 8-0.

With three minutes to go in the quarter McKenzie would not be denied mounting a strong offensive drive resulting in their first six points and with the conversion the Tigers balanced the score book 8-8.

In the second quarter with 11:02 on the clock, the Panthers struck again adding eight more points. The score now was 16-8 Georgiana.

The Panthers defense held tough getting the ball back, but penalties kept moving Georgiana’s offense back and forcing a punt by the Panthers.

The Tigers took possession on their 19-yard line. A second down pass was intercepted by Panther Ledarrius Allen and Georgiana started their drive on the Tiger’s 26-yard line.

An incredible falling touchdown reception by Panther Quan Scott and a dive play by Karmari Miles made it 24-8 Panthers and that’s where the first half ended.

At the start of the third quarter Georgiana got the ball first starting on their 22-yard line.

An interception gave the Tigers the ball back on the Panthers 35-yard line, but McKenzie was unable to capitalize.

The Tiger defense gnawed the Panthers to a stop and McKenzie started a new march on the 15-yard line.

At 5:07 in the third quarter, a 35-yard pass to Tiger Skylar Sanders for a touchdown brought the score to 24-16.

The Panther’s next drive started on the McKenzie 46-yard line with 1:54 remaining in the third quarter.

The Panther’s scored again with a TD pass to Kaveon Miles. The two-point conversion was good by Miles and the Panthers increased their lead 32-16.

Panther’s defense continued their romp when Jacoby Morgan intercepted a Tiger pass and Georgiana took over on the 40-yard line of McKenzie and the third quarter ended 32-16 Georgiana.

Fourth quarter play saw the Panthers score again with 9:52 remaining as Frederick Curry broke open field for the touchdown.

Miles rushed for the two point conversion putting eight more points in the tally books for Georgiana 40-16.

Morgan then intercepted another McKenzie pass at 7:30 and once again the Panthers claimed the ball.

The Tigers regained possession and with a 30-plus yard pass to Ayden Willsey, McKenzie padded their score. With the conversion good, the score was 40-24 Panthers.

With 4:48 to go in the game, Panther Curry scampered in for yet another touchdown and the two point conversion and with the final whistle sounding the Panthers of Georgiana secure their third victory and bragging rights for the Battle of 8 Mile, 48-24.

After the game head Panther coach Berry Bess said, “That’s high school football right there. That’s what it’s all about, love for the game, eight miles apart down the road. It was a hard-fought football game on both sides of the ball with good players on both teams. That’s what we signed up for a hard-fought football game.”

Now at 3-1, McKenzie will host the 1A Florala Wildcats who are also 3-1 in a region matchup Friday night.

Georgiana will host the 1A Kinston Bulldogs who are 1-3. It is also a region