Lee County Senior High School Logo
Oct 31, 2009
Going into Friday night's match-up, both Panther Creek and Lee County needed a win to help secure a spot in the playoffs.
Only one team could add a win to their record, though, and Lee County edged the Catamounts, 21-20.
Kel Jackson scored first for Panther Creek in what turned out to be a back-and-forth first half between the two teams.
Jackson caught a 59 yard pass from Kameron Bryant with 6:04 left in the first quarter, and Walker Cruikshank added the extra point to put the Catamounts up 7-0 early.
However, Lee County responded less than three minutes later when Carson Wilson broke a six yard run to score. Carlos Ocampo's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Less than one minute into the second quarter, Walker Cruikshank drilled a 38 yard field goal to push Panther Creek's lead to 10-7, but Lee County took the lead with 2:09 left in the half when Cedric Gray scored on a nine yard run.
Ocampo's extra point failed, though, and Lee County took a 13-10 lead.
As time expired, Cruikshank hit a 19 yard field goal to tie the game at 13-13 going into the break.
Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter, but Bryant completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to Graham Love in the fourth quarter to put Panther Creek up 20-13 with just 9:25 left.
Running out of time, Lee County's Dakota Hart caught a 35 yard pass from Wilson to score a touchdown, and instead of kicking the extra point, Lee County went for two points and the win.
Daniel Dillon caught the two-point conversion pass from Wilson to give Lee County a 21-20 lead with just 1:18 left.
Panther Creek wasn't going down without a fight, though.
Jonathan Douglas returned the ensuing Lee County kick off to the Panther Creek 48 yard line, and on first down Bryant completed an 18 yard pass to Jay Townsend, putting the Cats on the Yellow Jacket 34 yard line with 59 seconds left.
On the next play, Bryant completed a pass to Jackson, but he was contained and lost two yards on the play. Panther Creek called a timeout to stop the clock with 38 seconds left.
On 2nd and 12, Bryant threw an incomplete pass to Love, but on third down the junior quarterback hit Love for a 12 yard gain and a first down on the Lee County 24.
Two plays later, with just 17 seconds left, Bryant completed a 19 yard pass to Jackson to put the Cats on the Lee County five yard line.
With just two seconds left, the Catamounts sent Cruikshank out on the field to attempt at 22 yard field goal. However, Lee County's Isaiah Williams blocked the field goal attempt to secure the the Yellow Jacket win.
Lee County advances to 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the Tri-9 Conference. The Jackets must beat Fuquay-Varina on the road next week in order to qualify for the N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs.
Panther Creek falls 4-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play. The Catamounts have qualified for an at-large playoff bid, but they are not guaranteed a spot in the post season with their current record. A win over Cary next week would help solidify Panther Creek's chances at a playoff berth, but the loss to Lee County will hurt them.
The Catamounts have now lost three straight games.
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