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Panthers look to down Windsor Forest
Panthers hosting a Pink Out for Homecoming
Panthers
Panther quarterback Jaalon Frazier prepares to hand the ball to Jacquez Williams during a game earlier this year hosting Effingham. Liberty Countys home game Friday against Windsor Forest is a big one beyond just being this years homecoming contest. - photo by Courier file photo

In recognition of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, cancer survivors will be honored hosting a Pink Out.

“We are asking for survivors to wear pink and participate in a pre-game activity, which includes leading our Panthers onto the field,” LCHS Athletic Director Warnella Wilder said.

Wilder said cancer survivors will be issued complimentary tickets before the game. She said survivors wishing to participate should go to the high school’s front office until noon Friday to pick up their free tickets. The survivors’ group should report to the field by 7 p.m. Friday.

Liberty County’s home game Friday against Windsor Forest is a big one beyond just being this year’s homecoming contest.

The game is the last Region 3-AAAA game of the season, and a win would clinch the final playoff spot for the Panthers. Liberty is 2-6 overall and 0-3 in the region with only two games remaining in the regular season. The Knights come into the game 0-7 overall and 0-2 in the region.

“If they win they are in it as the fourth seed, and if we win, then we are the fourth seed … we would have to play the first seed (in the first round of the playoffs), but the bottom line is we would have to play a top seed whether it was in the first round, second round or third round,” Panthers coach Kirk Warner. “… we just want to get in and let the chips fall where they may.”

A victory also would be a significant bounce-back for Liberty, which lost at Thomson, 16-14, last Friday after missing a game-winning field goal.

Thomson scored its first touchdown off a Panther fumble. Liberty went into halftime tied, but another critical error in the second half gave the Bulldogs a 2-point lead off a safety. Thomson scored a touchdown to go up, 16-7.

The Panthers scored a touchdown in the fourth and caught a break when they recovered a Thomson fumble and drove within field-goal range. Liberty lined up for the go-ahead winning kick from 26 yards out, but missed the mark. The Liberty coaching staff and fan base seemed stunned when the officials indicated the kick had missed.

“From the sidelines, it looked good … but you know the officials … well, they have the best seat in the house and they called it like they saw it, and we have to move on from here,” Warner said.

The coach said the team took the loss at Thomson especially hard since they played well on the field, but just didn’t clinch the win.

“We usually don’t support moral victories, but I think our kids grew up and they had a whole different demeanor after losing this game than in games past,” Warner said. “…I guess if you can say that a loss was good, this one was good for our team in how they plan to approach the next two games this year.”

Panther quarterback Jaalon Frazier was 13-of-21 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jacquez Williams. Frazier also rushed for 45 yards on seven carries. For his efforts, the Panther coaching staff named Frazier the overall player of the game.

Williams had four receptions for 54 yards and rushed for 65 yards on 11 carries and was named the offensive player of the game. Richard LeCounte had eight carries for 42 yards. Jacari Roberts carried the ball five times for 28 yards. Roberts had three catches for 88 yards. LeCounte had four catches for 33 yards. Gyri Durant had two receptions for 10 yards.

Also for Friday’s game, in recognition of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, cancer survivors will be honored hosting a Pink Out.

“We are asking for survivors to wear pink and participate in a pre-game activity, which includes leading our Panthers onto the field,” LCHS Athletic Director Warnella Wilder said.

Wilder said cancer survivors will be issued complimentary tickets before the game. She said survivors wishing to participate should go to the high school’s front office until noon Friday to pick up their free tickets. The survivors’ group should report to the field by 7 p.m. Friday.

The Panthers close out the year hosting Richmond Hill on Nov. 7 in a non-region contest. 

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