Lakeside High School’s Panthers scored 19 unanswered points to comeback and defeat the Evans Knights 21-20 on Thursday, Sept. 29.
The emotions were high on the windy Thursday evening for this intense rivalry game.
A bad snap on fourth down on the Knights’ first drive would lead to the ball going out of the back of the end zone for a safety, putting the Panthers ahead 2-0 early in the first quarter.
Evans fought back on there second offensive drive with wide receiver Rayshaun King breaking off for a 21-yard touchdown run. The Knights failed the two-point conversion attempt but led 6-2 with 5:20 left in the first quarter.
MORE: Photojournalism: ARC vs Morgan County
King also scored the Knights second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run, putting Evans ahead 13-2 early in the second quarter.
The second quarter was full of aggression for both teams as they had a couple of personal fouls on the after the play on the sideline.
The Knights extended there lead after Evans quarterback DJ Walton connected with wide receiver KD Dorsey for a 6-yard touchdown. Evans kicker Tyler Wallace converted the extra point to put the Knights ahead 20-2 with 5:15 left in the second quarter.
Under a minute later, Lakeside running back Temarcus Elam broke off for a 84-yard rushing touchdown to give the Panthers some momentum. Lakeside failed the two-point conversion, but with nine seconds left in the second half, captain kicker Will “Mr. Automatic” Hattaway converted a 32-yard field goal, putting the Panthers only behind 20-11 at halftime.
In the second half, the strong rushing attack of the Panthers led to another touchdown. Lakeside running back Jason Whitaker ran in a 1-yard touchdown, making the score 20-18 with 7:10 left third quarter.
MORE: Yellow Jackets sting Thoroughbreds Thursday
On the kickoff, Lakeside Coach Steve Hibbitts made a game-changing decision to go for a onside kick, which the Panthers would recover.
With 2:59 left in the third quarter, Hattaway kicked what would end up being the game winning field goal. The Knights offense was halted in the fourth quarter and the Panthers won the game 21-20.
Lakeside (3-2) will be on the road against undefeated Brunswick (6-0) on Friday, Oct. 7. Evans (3-3) will play also on the road in their next game against Effingham County (4-2) on Friday, Oct. 14.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
