Will Heath, For the Tribune
PELL CITY — Jerry Hood called the week leading up to Friday night’s game “bloody,” specifically for his defense.
“We challenged the guts of that group,” said Hood.
It paid off for the Green Wave, who scored twice in the fourth quarter to turn a 3-point deficit into a 30-23 victory over Pell City. The defense was key, holding Pell City out of the end zone and turning two different Panther passes into defensive touchdowns.
“We took it very personal, since last week we took an L,” said linebacker Joshua Lee. “Just came out just ready, eager to win. Ready to fight.”
Lee scored the game’s final touchdown, stepping in front of an out route from Pell City’s Nikita Getmanschuk, snaring the football, and dashing 40 yards for a touchdown.
“They came through (on defense) tonight,” said Hood.
Lee’s interception followed an 83-yard drive by the Green Wave offense, giving the visitors the good lead. Junior quarterback Conner Nelson, who finished with 234 all-purpose yards, finished it with a 5-yard run, his second touchdown of the game.
“This means a lot because people were doubting us this week,” Nelson said after the game.
The two teams had battled to a stalemate for most of three quarters. Leeds (1-1) grabbed an early advantage when Miles Ashford picked off Getmanschuk and ran it back 62 yards for the game’s first score. The Panthers (0-2) answered with a 77-yard drive that ended with a Caleb Groce touchdown.
A Nelson interception set up a field goal by Jake Blackstone, who was 3-for-3 on attempts for the Panthers. Nelson immediately answered with a 52-yard touchdown run, only for Getmanschuk to find Ethan Everett for a 73-yard touchdown to give the lead back to Pell City.
Getmanschuk would finish with 180 yards through the air, with a touchdown and the two interceptions.
“Our team had a chance to win the game,” Pell City head coach Rush Propst said afterward. “We don’t turn the ball over, we probably win the game.”
“They’re resilient kids. They’ll come back fighting.”
By the time Avery Langford knocked down a 26-yard field goal to end the half, the two teams had played to a draw.
“It was a good high school football game,” Hood said. “Just tough, and back and forth.”
A Blackstone field goal on the first drive of the second half gave Pell City the lead. On the ensuing drive, Leeds held the Panthers on downs at the Green Wave 17-yard line. That set up the drive that would give the Green Wave the lead for good.
Both teams begin region play next Friday. Pell City will host Clay-Chalkville. Leeds will travel to face Springville.