PETAL – With just under a minute to go and the game tied at 27, Petal quarterback Eli Causey connected with Corey Jackson over the middle.
Jackson blew past Hattiesburg's secondary, scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the Panthers' 34-27 win over the Tigers.
The play not only capped off Jackson's 3-touchdown performance but also helped end another exciting edition of the Leaf River Rivalry, as the game featured no shortage of explosive plays.
"Cory Jackson grew up tonight as well," Petal coach Allen Glenn said. "All those skill guys played last year, and they were all sophomores. Hattiesburg has a great football team. They are going to make a run."
Fittingly enough, Jackson ignited the excitement of the game as he returned the opening kickoff for an 81-yard touchdown.
"At first, I was nervous when I caught the ball," said Jackson, describing his kickoff return. "I saw the wide-open hole, and I hit it full speed."
But it was in the second half quarterback play, along with Jackson's heroics, determined the game's final outcome.
"What a way to start the game, right?" Glenn said. "Just put the ball in your playmakers' hands. That's what we did. The quarterback grew up, but we have a long way to go."
In the third quarter, Hattiesburg quarterback Deuce Vance was intercepted by Petal's Skylar Husband, the first of two for the Panthers' defensive back. But the true blow for Hattiesburg was that Vance experienced full-body cramps after the play and was forced to leave the game. The Panthers took advantage of the turnover and scored with Petal quarterback Eli Causey connecting with Jackson for a 55-yard touchdown.
Causey was 2-for-7 and threw for just 12 yards in the first half, but in the second half, the sophomore went 9-for-13 and threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Before Vance's final play, the junior was for 7-for-13 and tossed for 127 yards while running for 63 yards.
"(Causey is) a sophomore quarterback, and he grew up," Vance said. "He did a hell of a job tonight, really, with managing the game in general. We put him in situations to make plays at real critical times.
"Eli is about as even-keeled as they come. He could throw a 60-yard post for a touchdown, and he is just as cool as a cucumber man. He was the starting point guard for us as a freshman last year in 6A basketball. I think that says a lot, too. The kid has a bright future."
Despite the final score, Hattiesburg's offense outgained Petal as the Tigers finished with over 400 yards in total offense. The difference in the game was Hattiesburg being called for 13 penalties that totaled 80 yards, killing drives, and keeping drives for Petal alive.
"Too many self-inflicted wounds," Hattiesburg coach Tony Vance said. "You can't do that against anybody, whether it be good teams or bad teams. Petal is a good football team. You can't shoot yourself in the foot. We did way too much tonight, and we have got to fix it."
Hattiesburg responded to the kickoff return with an 11-play, 52-yard drive that ended with Demarcus Baker punching in a touchdown on a 6-yard run to tie the score at seven. Petal' Sam Haydel then hit a 27-yard field to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The two teams traded touchdowns midway through the second quarter as the Tigers put together a 7-play, 89-yard drive that was aided by quarterback Deuce Vance completing passes for 38 and 26 yards. Jordan Bratcher capped the drive off with a 5-yard touchdown run. However, Petal answered two plays later as Kentrell Mickell erupted for a 43-yard touchdown to give the Panthers a 17-13 lead.
The Tigers orchestrated another scoring drive that ended with Tavares Wade scoring on a 4-yard run, but Petal kept the lead at the half with Haydel booting a 22-yard field goal to make the score 20-17.
After Vance's interception in the third quarter, Petal pushed its lead to 27-19.
However, the Tigers didn't fold as they scored on an 80-yard trick play. Wade, who is the backup quarterback, threw a lateral pass to running back Tamoz Barnes, who then threw it to Tristen Keyes. Keyes scored and tied the score at 27.
"(Deuce will) be alright," Tony Vance said. "It was just full-body cramps.
"We had another quarterback ready with Tavares Wade. We were ready. We just have to correct the mistakes and build on things we did well tonight. I didn't see anything tonight that we can't fix."
Hattiesburg's final score then set the stage for Jackson's final touchdown of the game. Jackson finished the night with six catches for 134 yards.
"I knew we had to score again," Jackson said. "He called the play, and I knew I was getting it. When I caught it, I just tried to score."
Petal will go on the road to face St. Martin next week, while Hattiesburg travels to face rival Laurel in the Battle for the Little Brown Jug.
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