The Lakeside Panthers defeated South Aiken 28-19 at home on Friday, Aug.30.
“They gutted that one out. We had some times there where we were just flat and South Aiken takes advantage of about everything,” said Lakeside Coach Steve Hibbits. “I was so proud of the 97 yard-drive right there between Ty and BJ and Jack and just gutting it out.”
After a punt on the Panthers’ first drive, Ty Jones caught an interception to give Lakeside the ball inside South Aiken territory. Jones took advantage offensively as well, passing a 21-yarder to Brandon Grissom Jr, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
South Aiken running back Jevon Edwards rushed for a 55-yard touchdown the first play of thei Thoroughbreds’ next drive, tying the game 7-7.
Jones broke off for his second touchdown of the night after a 29-yard rush late in first quarter, giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead.
Lakeside missed a long field goal to start the second quarter, but scored their final touchdown of the first half on a 4-yard rush by Jack Thexton, giving the Panthers a 21-7 lead.
The Thoroughbreds cut the Panthers lead to 21-13 after a rushing touchdown by Jevon Edwards. The extra point hit the uprights and was no good.
A defensive second half held both teams scoreless until Brandon Grissom rushed in a 4-yard touchdown with 2:59 remaining in the game.
A few plays later, South Aiken quarterback Tucker Bryan connected for a 46-yard touchdown pass, but the Thoroughbreds failed the 2-point conversion and would not have enough time for a comeback.
Jones led the Panthers, scoring two times on the night and also catching one interception. He thanked his offensive line and defensive coach after Friday’s game.
“My offensive line blocked very well and opened up a lot a of gaps to break out for some long runs,” Jones said. “The defensive coordinator put me in position to guard one of their best players, and I took on the challenge.”
Hibbits said he enjoys watching Jones who is a talented athlete on both sides of the ball.
“The kid is everywhere; he is special,” Hibbits said.
The Panthers will now look ahead to their toughest test of the season as they face the rival Evans Knights next Friday, Sept. 6. A single point has separated these teams in the times they’ve matched up the last two seasons. The Knights defeated the Panthers 16-15 last season.
Despite the win, Hibbits said there are some things the Panthers need to improve on but have the potential to be one of the hardest teams to defeat.
“Right now we are still not consistent in the run game as we need to be and if we get that straight, I don’t want to say this team is unstoppable, but it is pretty close to it,” Hibbits said.
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
