For the first time in seemingly forever – or most probably at least the last four games – Perry didn’t have to dig itself out of a deep, deep hole. In fact, the Panthers enjoyed the luxury of a 13-0 lead early in their game against West Laurens and for the first time in five tries, finally notched another win in the books.
That, a 20-14 victory, was the first in Region 2-AAAA and enabled Perry to finish the year at .500, 5-5.
The Panthers got their first points on a fumbled punt recovered in the endzone by Jermaine Lee. The point after was no good, but later in the quarter, the defense created another turnover. It was inside the host’s 5 and resulted in a touchdown run by Jay Watkins.
The Raiders got on board in the third via a two-yard run by Eric Lattimore. A.J. Mathis got them out front with a 20-yard run early in the third quarter. Most of it was three-and-outs by both. Perry did get what it needed, however, a 90-yard drive and a Watkins score from the 10.
What it didn’t get, was a last-second rally by West Laurens to tie it or win. Not that it didn’t try. After finally stopping the Panthers on a fourth-and-one with just over a minute left, it took over on the 30 and drove all the way to the 7. With seven seconds left, the Raiders’ quarterback went to spike the ball, but instead fumbled. Perry recovered it with 1.9 seconds left and promptly ran that out.
MCDONALD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JAY WATKINS. PAPA JOHN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME T.K. HARRELL.
