Panthers set mark

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: October 29, 2016

Pleasant Valley stays with No. 7 Spring Garden until two late interceptions; Panthers break school record for wins

Spring Garden’s Alvin Lambert (cover/7) stopped two late Pleasant Valley possessions in a tight game with interceptions. (All photos by Daniel Lee)

By Grant Benefield
Special to East Alabama Sports Today

SPRING GARDEN – All week long, Spring Garden head football coach Jason Howard talked to his team about finishing the regular season strong.

The seventh-ranked 1A Panthers did just that Friday night in beating Class 3A Pleasant Valley to break the school record for most regular-season wins in a 36-27 victory.

“I’m really happy with the way the guys played, especially after an emotional game last week,” Howard said referring to the 29-24 loss at Cedar Bluff). “I think the offense played well, and the defense came up with some big stops in the second half that finished the game. To come out here and get this win, I was proud of them.”

After answering Spring Garden touchdowns three times to earn a 20-all halftime lead, the Raiders finally grabbed the lead on Raegan King’s 20-yard run and Nick Howard’s extra point.

Now it was the Panthers’ turn to play catch-up. They responded with a long drive capped by senior fullback Quintin Downey’s 2-yard run. They got the two-point conversion to regain the lead 28-27 and never trailed again.

The Raiders (2-8) punted on the ensuing drive — the first punt for either team – and Spring Garden capitalized by getting another score from Downey. Alvin Lambert converted the 2-point attempt and it was 36-27.

Pleasant Valley’s next two drives would be stopped dead in their tracks by two interceptions by Lambert. The season-ending loss was PV’s eighth straight after opening the season with back-to-back wins.

“I was thinking interception all the way when I saw them,” Lambert said. “We played a great game tonight, and I knew if we came out and ran the ball hard and the defense came up with a few stops then we would win.”

Lambert finished with 134 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He also caught three passes for 53 reception yards and a score. Downey ran 13 times for 81 yards. Quarterback Ben Ivey had 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries; he also completed 3-of-5 passes for 53 yards and a score.

With the record-breaking win, the Panthers now look to the postseason. They will host South Lamar (6-4) in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs Friday.

Grant Benefield is a correspondent for the Cherokee County Herald.