The Liberty County Panthers (11-1) advanced to the quarterfinals of the AAA state playoffs Friday night when they defeated the Sonoraville Phoenix (8-4) 28-14 in a game that was a defensive struggle in the first half. Liberty County used a 14-point rally in the third quarter to seal the victory. 

The Panthers came out swinging as quarterback Jaalon Frazier found Dylan Stewart for a 50-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the game. That gave the team enough momentum to pull away in the second half to move to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. 

Frazier had a big night, amassing over 300 yards and playing a part in all four of the team's touchdowns. Stewart recorded 77 yards and two scores on his three receptions. 

The Panthers now await their fate in the quarterfinals as a coin flip early Saturday morning will decide if they stay in Hinesville or travel to middle Georgia to face off against the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. Both teams entered the state playoffs as No. 1 seeds after winning their respective divisions. 

That game will take place on Friday, Nov. 25. Look for a full recap of the Panthers' win over the Phoenix in Sunday's edition of the Coastal Courier.