WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Unable to overcome a 21-point first-half deficit, the Panama City Panthers dropped their first game of the season, falling 34-24 to the Georgia Grit.
The game was marred by controversial penalty calls and technical issues with the scoreboard at the host venue (Central Georgia Technical College), highlighting some of the challenges common in semi-pro football.
The Panthers were flagged for a 12-men-on-the-field penalty despite video appearing to show only 11 players. Later, on a punt, the ball appeared to bounce off a Grit player before being recovered by Panama City, but possession was awarded to Georgia.
Georgia struck first with a physical opening drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Devin Stephens for a 6-0 lead. Panama City responded immediately as wide receiver Cordell Broy returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, tying the game 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Grit’s ground game took control in the second quarter. Running back Jamond Jones scored on a 2-yard run to make it 12-6. A botched snap by the Panthers led to a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by linebacker Gene’rique Noel, extending the lead to 20-6. Jones added his second touchdown of the half to push the margin to 27-6.
Panama City answered before halftime when wide receiver-turned-quarterback Jaquavius “Shon” Cureton connected with Broy on a 33-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 27-12 at the break.
The Panthers’ defense stepped up in the second half, with key contributions from Treysean Prentice, Dontell Baxter and Zay Ross. Cureton later found Broy again on a post route for his third touchdown of the game, trimming the score to 27-18.
Georgia responded with an 85-yard touchdown run by running back Head Williams to extend the lead and put the game out of reach. Panama City added a late defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery by Tyvaun Alexander to close the scoring.
The Panthers (3-1) will host Jackson Iron-Hide (1-0) on Saturday, March 28.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Panthers football suffers first loss of season
Reporting by Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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