John Paul II couldn’t land the knockout blow Thursday night against visiting Pinewood Prep, allowing a 20-point first-half lead to slip away in a 37-33 defeat.
Jeremiah Young rushed for 163 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown, and went 11-for-18 for 217 yards with three TDs and two interceptions, but the Panthers were able to keep the Golden Warriors off the scoreboard in the second half to rally for the win.
JPII got its passing game off the ground early, as Young hooked up for long touchdown passes to Mark Knight and Malone Kinard-Huisinger, as well as a 26-yard TD pass to Jackson Ogden en route to a 33-13 lead late in the second quarter.
The Panthers turned the tide with a score before the half and clawed within 33-27 in the third quarter. The Golden Warriors were unable to put together a sustained drive to put it away, and Pinewood rallied in the final quarter.
Knight had four catches for 95 yards and a score, and Kinard-Huisinger added five grabs for 81 yards and a TD.
Austin McIntosh collected seven tackles (three for loss) with two sacks and three fumble recoveries to lead the defense, and he added a rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Hayden Jennings had a team-high 11 tackles (two for loss), Michael Carbone added nine tackles and forced a fumble, and Peter Hughes had seven tackles (one for loss).
JPII (1-3) hosts Thomas Heyward at 7 p.m. next Friday.
