SW DeKalb nips Tucker 21-20 in OT
OT victory keeps Panthers unbeaten

By JEFF HAWS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/30/06

James Woods' 3-yard plunge in the first overtime gave Southwest DeKalb its final lead, and Tucker's missed extra-point try moments later gave the Panthers a 21-20 victory on Friday night.

It was the second loss in a row for Tucker (3-2) — the first time that's happened since 1999 — while Southwest DeKalb moved to 5-0 for the first time since 1998 and stayed on top of Region 6-AAAA.
MIKKI K. HARRIS / Staff
(ENLARGE)
Southwest DeKalb running back Jeremy Barnett (23) is brought down by Tucker's Jamoris Slaughter.

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* SW DeKalb
* Tucker

The loss drops Tucker to fifth place in the region at the season's midway point.

The Panthers were cruising entering the fourth quarter, leading their rivals 14-0 and seemingly in control of the game.

But Tucker responded with its two offensive efforts, marching 80 yards on a drive spanning the third and fourth quarters, followed by a drive of 65 yards that tied the score with less than 20 seconds left.

Southwest DeKalb had stopped doing what got it the lead in the first place, and it looked like Tucker might have the momentum as overtime began.

"We had started to lose focus," said Southwest DeKalb quarterback Brandon Jones, who rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. "We went up 14 points on them, and they started getting calm and relaxed. When they came back, I guess we had to come back and show them what we had."

The Panthers did that on the third play of their overtime possession, after an illegal-procedure penalty had helped put Southwest in a second-and-15 position. Jones did what he had done numerous times throughout the game, rolling to his right and cutting upfield, knifing through defenders to the 4. The play set up Woods' scoring run two plays later.

It took Tucker only three plays to score, with Chris Simpson going in from the 1-yard line.

Ricky Peacock's point-after kick, however, came out low and never made it above the crossbar, giving the Panthers their second consecutive victory over Tucker. They upset the Tigers 17-2 in the first round of the 2005 playoffs.

SOUTHWEST DEKALB 21, TUCKER 20 (OT)

SW DeKalb 0 0 14 0 7 — 21

Tucker 0 0 0 14 6 — 20

S — Brandon Jones 55 run (kick blocked)

S — Jones 1 run (Jones run)

T — Anthony Mosley 27 pass from Chris Simpson (Ricky Peacock kick)

T — Chris Simpson 6 run (Peacock kick)

S — James Woods 3 run (Sean McCarthy kick)

T — Simpson 1 run (kick failed)