Panthers conclude season at Terrell

Published 1:00 pm Sunday, November 6, 2022

DAWSON — Tiftarea Academy closed out its 2022 season Nov. 4 at Terrell Academy, ending a tough season for the Panthers, but also one full of hope for the future.

Terrell won a 47-15 battle in Dawson. John Jackson and Cubbie Crosson caught touchdown passes from J.R. Walker. Jackson additionally snagged a two-point conversion and kicked an extra point.

“We had chances,” said head coach Erik Soliday “We just couldn’t find a way to make it work.”

Fourth quarter turnovers turned into points for the Eagles. Until then, Tiftarea had been within striking distance. The turnovers came as the Panthers were trying to get even closer on the scoreboard.

Walker threw for 212 yards on the game and the two touchdowns. He continues to contribute with his feet, adding 57 rushing yards.

Jackson led the way in catches and yardage with four for 89 yards. Kam Brown had 49, Crosson’s touchdown went for 47 and John Michael White had another nice game at 37 receiving yards.

The loss ended a 1-9 campaign. It’s difficult for players and Soliday to swallow after four straight final fours, but he knows they will be a force next season. The Panthers are not set to graduate many and those they do return have already played a ton of minutes.

“We know we have a lot of them coming back,” Soliday said.

Football seasons are always taxing on the body and mind. Unfortunately for Tiftarea, the last few weeks of 2022 hit three seniors particularly hard. Crosson began the year playing quarterback and linebacker, but injuries limited him to linebacker and receiver in his last games. Brown’s snaps needed to be lessened considerably. Soliday also saw Matthew Malone dinged up.

The injuries did force some creativity at Terrell, he said. Jackson inherited Malone’s kicking duties. Lane Cole stepped in at running back. Walker had already been the man under center for the last third of the campaign.

“He’s done a lot for us,” said Soliday about Jackson, a sophomore starting for his first year.

Soliday takes pride in what they did accomplish on the gridiron. Tiftarea defeated Valwood — “A win against a pretty good ball team.” The Valiants were considered the Class AAA’s fourth best squad, as ranked by MaxPreps on Nov. 5.

The same MaxPreps’ rankings consider the Panthers’ slate the third most difficult in their classification. That his team was never intimidated sticks out to their leader.

“It really didn’t matter who it was, or what the score was, they battled every week to the end,” he said. All 10 of Tiftarea’s opponents figure to make the state playoffs. Valwood, Deerfield-Windsor, Brookwood and Terrell Academy are currently ranked in the GIAA’s top five in AAA, with only perpetual champion John Milledge ahead of them.

Central Fellowship is undefeated. Frederica Academy won its region, as did Wilcox County. With Brookwood earning the crown in 3-AAA, four of the Panthers’ 10 opponents finished on top of their conferences.

“They battled every game, and if we got down, they found a way to get back in it,” Soliday said.

Playoffs are up next for the GIAA, with two play-in games this week. Southland Academy will travel to Pinewood Christian in one of these. On Nov. 18, the quarterfinals begin. Brookwood plays the Pinewood/Southland winner, Deerfield hosts Frederica and Valwood hosts Terrell.