editorial4@thomastontimes.com

It has taken six long weeks, but the Upson-Lee Knights have earned their first victory of the year and given head coach Tommy Watson the first victory of his career.

It took a great defensive effort and ultimately a 31 yard field goal from sophomore Luke Paul to clinch the Knights’ first victory of the season, as the beat Americus-Sumter 16-14 in Americus last Friday night.

“I’m so excited for these kids,” said Watson, as he stood in the middle of the field with a grin from ear to ear, soaked from a water cooler bath.

“These players and coaches have been working hard for a long time to get a victory. I am just so proud of them,” said Watson.

The first quarter of the game on friday night was not a pretty one to watch. Overthrown passes, a lot of three plays and out situations, and costly penalties hurt both teams.

However, with 2:00 left in the first quarter, the Knights mounted an eight play drive of 41 yards, ending with a Dare Coker six yard TD run. After a Luke Paul PAT, the Knights were ahead 7-0 with 10:51 remaining in the first half.

Coker finished the night with 158 yards rushing on 35 carries. The 35 carries were the second most in school history behind Donovan King’s 36 in 1994.

Upson-Lee gave a much better performance on the defensive side of the ball than from weeks past, including a bruising hit by Travis McCrary that saved a potential touch down.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Americus-Sumter quarterback Antavious Sims fired a ball from the 23 yard line of the Knights in to the end zone. The Panther receiver went up making the catch, only to have McCrary knock the ball loose with a bone crushing hit.

“That was a big play for us,” said Watson. That play held them scoreless in the first half.”

The Knights took the lead into the locker at the half 7-0.

The second half started off just as good as the first for the Knights. The Knights got down and dirty, playing a little smash mouth football. UL would embark on a 14 play 71 yard drive taking nearly seven minutes, ending in a Derek Baughcum 1 yard TD run.

The Knights gained 5 first downs on the drive alone. Phillip Searcy took over on the drive, rushing for 42 bruising yards, breaking numerous tackles along the way.

The Luke Paul PAT was no good, as the hold was fumbled, and with 5:07 remaining in the third the Knights had a 13-0 lead.

The Panthers fought back in the fourth quarter. After a two quarterback draws and a personal foul call on the knights, Americus-Sumter was in business in Knights’ territory.

The Panthers completed two big passes to move the ball down to the Knights 11 yard line. Two plays later, Sims ran the ball in for a TD from the 1 yard line with 10:18 remaining in the game. The PAT was good, and all of a sudden the missed PAT from the Knights was looming large, as the Panthers cut the deficit to 13-7.

The Knights would regain possession at their own 30 yard line. After a 14 yard run by Searcy and a season high 39 yard run by Derek Baughcum, the Knights were back in Panther territory.

A chop block penalty forced the Knights back to the Panther 30 yard line. On third down and long, Baughcum connected with his tight-end Logan Winkles on a 14 yard pass, putting the Knights into a fourth and eight to go situation from the Panther 14 yard line.

Then the Penalty flags started falling out of the sky.

The Knights were going to attempt a Luke Paul 31 yard field goal, but a false start pushed the UL offense back five yards. On the next play, Paul's 36 yard attempt was no good, but the Panthers were called with a five yard running into the kicker penalty, moving Knights back up to the original line of scrimmage. Paul stepped up and booted a 31 yard field goal to give the Knights a two score advantage, 16-7.

“That was a clutch kick,” said Watson. “Luke and Kirby (Banks) both work really hard on their kicking during practice. We have full confidence in them.”

The Panthers would not go away. With 6:34 remaining in the ball game, the Panthers took over from their own 28 yard line. With the game on the line, Sims found a receiver on fourth and long for a 26 yard completion. After the play, the Knights were again called for a personal foul, pushing the Panthers up to the Knights 20 yard line. Three plays later, Sims ran nine yards for his and the Panthers second TD of the game.

The Panthers attempted an on-side kick, but the Knights recovered on the UL 47 yard line. The Knights ran out the final minutes on the clock, with big runs from Searcy and Coker to preserve their first victory of the season.

The Knights return to Matthews Field for Homecoming this Friday night, when they take on the Trojans from Lee County. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m., with the “Knight Walk” starting at 6 p.m.