Lanett rallies past Dadeville on Homecoming
BY EVAN BROWN
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — Lanett High School gave its Homecoming crowd plenty to celebrate on Oct. 8, rallying past Dadeville High School 14-12 at Morgan-Washburn Stadium for its sixth consecutive victory.
After opening the season with two straight non-region losses, the Panthers have turned things around, improving to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in region play.
The Panthers trailed 12-7 at halftime before senior running back R.J. Tucker broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put Lanett ahead. The defense then protected the two-point lead, delivering several key sacks to force turnovers on downs and intercepting a pass in the closing minutes to secure the Homecoming victory that came on a short week because of Hurricane Isaias.
“Just resilience, man. They play hard, they get after it,” Lanett coach R.J. McDonald said on the comeback victory. “Really, really proud of how they fought all night long and never gave up. ...
This group’s so young, and for them to find a way to win like that says a lot about who they are.”
Lanett struck first when R.J. Tucker scored on its opening drive on a 16-yard TD run to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers’ defense followed with a stop on fourth-and-8 inside Lanett territory, preventing Dadeville from capitalizing on its opportunity. Lanett carried its seven-point lead into the second quarter.
Dadeville eventually found its footing on offense, with the Tigers scoring off of Davis McKelvey scrambling for a 36-yard TD run. The Tigers faked the PAT, but were unable to convert when R.J. Tucker tackled the receiver short of the end zone, leaving Lanett ahead 7-6.
Dadeville took their first lead of the game, connecting on a 10-yard TD pass in the right corner of the end zone on their next drive with 29 seconds left in the half. The two point attempt failed, sending the Tigers into halftime with a 12-7 lead.
Lanett needed a response coming out of the half and R.J. Tucker provided it. The senior running back broke through for a 43-yard TD run with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter, putting the Panthers ahead 14-12.
“That set the tone coming out of the half,” McDonald said. “We talked about coming out and laying our guts on the line, just giving our best effort, and I’m just super proud of how that run set the tone for the half.”
Dadeville threatened to retake the lead late in the third quarter, but sacks by Damein Hurston and Treshun Bailey forced the Tigers to punt on fourth-and-33.
The Tigers continued looking for an opening in the fourth quarter, but Lanett stopped another possession on fourth down when Hurston recorded another sack.
Dadeville had one last opportunity to put together a go-ahead drive, but T.J. Tucker slammed the door shut with an interception with two minutes to go, preserving Lanett’s lead for the victory.
McDonald credited his defense for continuing to deliver when Dadeville threatened to take control.
“That’s been our M.O. all year. We kind of bend, but we don’t break,” McDonald said. “[I’m] really proud of how the defense bowed up. They played hard.”
The Panthers finished with 219 yards on the ground, with R.J. Tucker responsible for 111 yards and two TDs on 13 carries, and P.J. Stiggers racking up 118 yards on 27 carries. T.J. Tucker finished with 12 tackles, two tackles for a loss and an interception, while Braylon Chambers finished with 11 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack.
The victory keeps Lanett undefeated in region play with two games remaining. The Panthers will look to maintain their position atop the standings with Reeltown when they travel to Rockford on Thursday, Oct. 16, to face Central Coosa County High School (2-5).
