PERRY — A slick field and an unbelievable late 98-yard drive by Westfield brought Tiftarea Academy’s undefeated streak to a half Friday night, 21-14.

An earlier missed kick meant the Panthers were ahead by 14-13 when John Jackson’s 42-yard punt pinned Westfield on their own 2 very late in the quarter.

A 16-yard fourth down pass from Brayden Gay to Drew Keller gained a first at the Hornet 40. There were 78 seconds on the clock when Gay dumped a screen pass to Stone St. Clair. He slipped out of two tackles and headed down the visiting sideline, barely avoiding an ankle tackle as he bounded into the end zone on a 66-yard score.

Gay scrambled for a two-point conversion and Westfield went ahead 21-14.

Tiftarea couldn’t get anything going on a drive and was sacked as time expired.

The finish betrayed a game that had been almost completely on the ground previously. Days of rain meant both teams had problems getting a toehold to run plays. Instead of three yards and a cloud of dust, many plays were one step, a slide and a puddle splash.

The first quarter was scoreless, with Jackson hitting punts of 46 and 54 yards, the second downed at the 4.

It was midway through the second when the Panthers were able to sustain a drive, thanks to a 65-yard catch by Jackson, the first reception by either team.

The yardage took Tiftarea to the 11, then first-and-goal at the 1 on a J.R. Walker run. Walker was denied once at the goal line, then got it on second down. Harrison Powell’s kick was good with about three minutes remaining in the first half.

Powell, usually exclusively a playmaker kicking, became the hero of the kickoff team when he made a touchdown-saving tackle at the 45. Westfield was not able to make it into the red zone and punted with a minute remaining.

Tiftarea went into the half leading 7-0.

Westfield’s outstanding kick return crew set up their first touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. With excellent field position at the Panther 33, Westfield needed only three runs to score, the last a 10-yard jaunt by Brock Johnston. Johnston also had the kick to tie the game, 7-7.

The Panthers roared back on a slow drive consisting of 13 runs and three pass attempts. The completion, to Ridley Monk, gave them a first down at he 42 of Westfield.

Caden Grier erased a holding penalty with a 22-yard gain to the 30. Walker gained 12 on a rush to convert a fourth down at the 17, then ran it on more consecutive snaps, going over from the 1 with about 90 seconds to go in the third frame. Powell’s kick gave them a 14-7 lead.

Special teams haunted Tiftarea again on the ensuing clip. Powell temporarily saved a touchdown when he took down Jackson St. Clair at the 1 on a 75-yard yard, but Gay ran it in on the next play. The kick failed, however, and the Panthers clung to the 14-13 lead as the scoreboard changed to the fourth quarter.

Westfield came up with a fumble recovery in the slop, but had to punt in the fourth.

Tiftarea had another long drive that soaked up most of the period, but finally stalled at the Hornet 44. Jackson’s perfect punt almost let them survive, but Westfield had a miracle left in them.

Walker had an official 126 rushing yards on 31 carries, with both touchdowns. He completed 3 of 12 passes for 75 yards. Catches were by Jackson.

Tiftarea is now 4-1 on the season and will be back home Friday for homecoming against Southland Academy.