During a rainy Friday night at Dr. Phillip’s homecoming game, the Panthers (6-0) defeated the Braves 21-34 in the 8A, District 5 championship game. Their cornerback Jamari Smith, #22, who caught three interceptions, broke the Panther’s school record for interceptions.
The Braves didn’t start the first quarter well, with quarterback Logan Smith throwing an interception six minutes into the game. Slowly gaining yardage, Dr. Phillips scored the first touchdown of the game with three minutes left in the first quarter. With only one and a half minutes left in the first, Smith threw another interception, giving Dr. Phillips a 30-yard run. The first quarter ended 0-7.
Halfway into the second quarter neither team gained much yardage. Dr. Phillips made a third interception and scored a touchdown with 5:19 left in the second quarter. Soon after, Adam Anderson made a touchdown, bringing the score to 7-14. With 21 seconds left in the first half, Dr. Phillips scored, 7-21.
The Braves started the third quarter strong when Adam Anderson made a 70-yard dash to score his second touchdown, bringing the score to 14-21. With seven minutes left in the third quarter, Dr. Phillips intercepted for a fourth time and scored a touchdown, bringing the score to 14-28. After a sudden torrential downpour, Dr. Phillips scored another touchdown at the end of the third, ending the quarter 14-34.
The fourth quarter was uneventful, neither team gained yardage or field position, resulting in numerous kick offs. But with 1:14 left in the game, Smith ran the ball into the end zone ending the game with a score of 21-34.
Come support the Braves (2-4) next Friday during the homecoming game against Freedom at 7:30 p.m.