Mead Cashes In On Reversal Of Fortune Panthers Survive Eight University Snaps In Final Seconds To Hang On For 14-7 Win

Seems like we saw something like this just a week ago.

Mead, which turned an improbable interception into a miraculous victory last week, had the situation reversed at Albi Stadium Friday night - the Panthers were intercepted this time - but managed to reverse the logical result.

University had 125 seconds to cover 11 yards, but the Panthers survived eight Titans snaps to hang on for a 14-7 victory.

“When it came down to crunch time, this team showed heart, desire, a willingness to compete,” Mead coach Mike McLaughlin said. “Tonight that was enough.”

Last week, Mead intercepted a pass with 2 minutes left and beat Lewis and Clark 16-14 on Dustin Lungo’s field goal with 4 seconds left.

This week, with a third-and-6 from the U-Hi 25, the Panthers tried to throw for the first down, but Jason Lewis’ pass was deflected and Joe Jeffries grabbed it, racing 69 yards before getting pushed out of bounds on the Mead 11 with 2:05 to play.

After two short running plays and an incomplete pass, the Panthers were called for pass interference, giving U-Hi a first down at the 2 with 41 seconds left. The Titans only got 1 yard on two plays before quarterback Casey Cornelius grounded the ball. On fourth down, his pass was incomplete, but flags were thrown as the final horn sounded.

The penalty was against the Titans - a receiver lined up on the same side as the tight end, and when the tight end went out for a pass, he was an ineligible receiver - and the game was over.

In the second game at Albi, Joe Ascolese scored the first of four Gonzaga Prep touchdowns in the first quarter by taking the opening kickoff 96 yards, and the Bullpups rolled past Ferris 48-0. At Central Valley, the Bears whipped Rogers 52-7.

, DataTimes