LUMBERTON – Composure, grit and just pure excitement were all featured in Lumberton's final drive.
With 15 seconds left and the Panthers trailing crosstown rival Purvis by one, nothing kept quarterback Lathen Bowens off the field – not even the cramps he was experiencing in both legs.
"I needed to be in," Bowens said. "I wanted to be in. I wanted it. I wanted this win so bad."
As Bowens stepped into the huddle to relay the potential final play, his go-to receiver, Chase Toney, changed it.
"Just watch me," Toney told his quarterback.
Sure enough, Bowens connected with Toney for an 18-yard touchdown that sealed Lumberton's eventual 27-14 win over the Tornadoes.
“That's the biggest play of my four years as head coach," Lumberton coach Jonathan Ladner said. "No doubt in mind.
"I never panicked for a second. I knew (Bowens) was going to be as cool as the other side of the pillow. I can count on my man because he is so cool to step in and do whatever is needed for the team. He's such a whatever it takes to win guy."
In what looked to be a forgetful game for both sides, ended up becoming a memorable classic. For Lumberton, it's the first victory over Purvis since 2007, and the first home win against the Tornadoes since 2003.
Purvis was less than a minute away from victory as the Tornadoes looked to milk the clock, holding a 14-13 lead. However, the Tornadoes’ workhorse running back Moses Cummings, who ran for 242 yards and a touchdown off 32 carries, fumbled the ball away to put the Panthers on the 50-yard line.
"They made the plays when they needed to," Purvis coach Brad Hankins said. "That's a rivalry ball game early. They did the job. Tip your hat to them. We had to get a first down to run out the clock. It is what it is."
On the drive's first play, Bowens scrambled for a 10-yard run that led to him briefly exiting the game because of a cramp in his leg.
Toney then stepped in as quarterback. Ironically, in this game last year, Toney was the Panthers' starting quarterback for Lumberton, while Bowens was his receiver. Toney completed a short pass, but then a bad snap placed Lumberton back at midfield, leaving the Panthers facing 3rd and 17 with 25 seconds left. It was at that moment that Toney drew on his experience as a quarterback to stay composed.
"I'm calm," said Toney on how he felt. "I used to play quarterback, so I know how to keep my composure during the final moments. That's really it, I just kept my composure and did my thing."
But Bowens reentered the game and found Toney for a 29-yard catch.
"I was just watching him the whole time," said Bowens, who threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 163 yards. "We grew up together our whole lives. We've always been one. As soon as I looked at him, I knew he was going to do something.
"He has great hands and great ability. He just wants it. He wants its as bad as me."
As Bowens let go of the football, he crumbled to the ground in pain as his other leg cramped.
"Both cramps were in both of my legs," Bowens said. "I just pushed through it."
Toney stepped in again and nearly threw an interception, but his pass went incomplete to stop the time and give Bowens enough time to reenter the game.
"Lathen came back in, and we were supposed to run something," said Toney, who finished the game with seven catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. “I told Lathen to just watch me. I was supposed to run one way, but I ran the opposite way, and he threw it cross-body."
After the go-ahead touchdown, Purvis received the ball with 10 seconds left in the game. However on the final play, Lumberton's Romello Edwards then spoiled any hopes of a miracle for the Tornadoes. Edwards came down with an interception and returned it for a touchdown as time expired.
"What a freaking night of football for the Lumberton Panthers," Ladner said. "I'm kind of in a daze right now. I dreamed about this moment. I never lost to Purvis when I played here. To beat Purvis as the head coach of Lumberton is something special."
Lumberton will travel to play North Forrest next week, while Purvis will host Pass Christian.
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