Panthers pounce on Chiefs for first win of the season

It was a tale of two season on Monday, Oct. 10 when the undefeated Chiefs took the the turf to take on the winless Panthers for a 12U flag football game at the Clay County Recreation Center. In a very entertaining game the Panthers were able to get their first win of the season by the final of 32-28.

The Chiefs won the coin toss and elected to start the game on offense. They were unable to get things going and the Panthers defense created a turnover on downs. On their first possession, the Panthers put points on the board when quarterback Jack Bethel launched a touchdown pass to Matthew Peck. Not long afterward, the Bethel found an open Garrsion Bowyer who scampered into the end zone to double the Panthers' lead to 12-0.

After another defensive stand, it appeared the Panthers were on their way to another touchdown when the Chief's Eli Cheeks snared an interception and ran it all the way back for a score. Camden Taylor tagged on the extra point to cut the Panther's lead to 12-7.

The Panthers answered when Bowyer broke through the Chiefs' defense for a 16-yard touchdown run. That gave the Panthers a 18-7 lead at the half.

Taylor started off the second half with an interception to give the Chiefs the ball. Cheeks made the most of the opportunity with a touchdown run. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 18-14 in favor of the Panthers.

Bowyer broke through the Chiefs' line to run the full length of the field before being stopped at the 1-yard line, putting the Panthers in a great spot for an easy touchdown. That grew their lead to 26-14.

The scoring blitz continued when the Chiefs again found the end zone to cut the deficit to 26-21. With 3:30 left to play, the Chiefs took their first lead of the game with another touchdown and extra point.

Trailing 28-26, the Panthers came to the line of scrimmage trying to avoid yet another loss. A balanced drive took the Panthers down the field and set them up for with a great scoring opportunity. However, the Chiefs were able to hold the line, setting up a third and goal situation. That's when Bethel once again found Peck in the corner of the end zone to put the Panthers back on top with just two seconds left.

The Chiefs gave it one shot with a Hail Mary pass which was intercepted by the Panthers to seal their 32-28 victory.