ROAD RALLY

SARDIS CITY — Southside coach Ron Daugherty stressed going into Friday’s Class 5A, Region 6 opener that, despite an 0-2 start his team still had plenty to play for.

The Panthers proved they believed it, scoring with a minute left in the game to rally for a 14-10 win over Sardis in high school football.

The Lions (1-1, 0-1) led 10-7 after a 23-yard field goal by Ean Salers midway through the third quarter. The defenses took over after that until late in the fourth.

Southside (1-2, 1-0) took over after a punt with 3:43 left, needing 81 yards for a score. It proceeded to do just that, covering the distance in eight plays. Kenneth Bothwell had a big 35-yard run, breaking numerous tackles, to the Lion 7. Two plays later, he ran it in from 4 yards out, and Nolan Johnson’s extra point put Southside up by four.

Sardis had a chance late, getting as far as the Southside 28. The final play from scrimmage saw the Lions’ Jay Owens loft a pass from the 33, but it was deflected off the hands of Jacob Hopper as time expired.

Each team had missed opportunities to put up points. Southside fumbled deep in its own territory late in the first half with the game tied at 7, but Sardis was unable to fall on it. Hopper also got his hands on a Michael Rich pass deep in Southside’s side of the field, but he was unable to reel it in.

The Panthers had a shot to tie the game at 10 early in the fourth on a 33-yard field goal, but a bad snap led to a turnover on downs.

But when it had to have it, Southside was able to make the most important plays.

Star of the Night

Though he was held in check for a good portion of the night, Bothwell made big plays at key times. He caught a well-thrown 64-yard touchdown pass from Rich on the game’s first play from scrimmage to go with his late winning score. He finished the night with 11 rushes for 53 yards and had four catches for 95 yards.

Play of the Game

No doubt it was Bothwell’s touchdown run, which won the game for the Panthers. His 35-yard run two plays before that was big as well, as it set up first-and-goal.

Coachspeak

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the kids. We put a challenge to them every day, and it’s all about them growing up. We just keep preaching to our kids to play hard.

“Sardis and coach (Gene) Hill have a heck of a ballclub. It was a hard-fought game.” — Daugherty

“We should score more than 10 points with our offense. At times, we didn’t get clicking, shot ourselves in the foot, things of that nature. Credit to them (Southside). I felt like they (the defense) played well. We just have to punch the ball in more.” — Hill

By the Numbers

41 — This was the first time in 41 years these two Etowah County teams had played. … 14 — The amount of points Southside has scored in each of its last two games against Sardis. The Panthers beat the Lions 14-0 in 1977.

They Said It

“You just have to keep your head up. If you put your head down, you’re going to be discouraged. You have to keep fighting, and that’s what we did.” — Bothwell

Stat Sheet

Final offensive yards: Sardis 279, Southside 241. … Rich hit on some big passes for the Panthers, finishing 7-of-16 for 123 yards with the one score and one interception. … Blake Reed rushed nine times for 41 yards for Southside. … Jay Owens, who played most of the game at quarterback for Sardis, finished 11-of-24 for 98 yards with one touchdown. … Hopper’s six catches for 83 yards, all in the first half, paced the Lions. He also caught a 20-yard score in the first half. … Temon Wilson had 68 yards on five rushes and notched an interception on defense for Sardis; Mason Golden also had a pick for the Lions.

Up Next

Sardis travels to 5A, No. 2 Etowah in a region and county clash next week.

Southside is off next week, then hosts the Blue Devils on Sept. 21 in a tussle of region and county rivals.