Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – Spring Garden’s defense forced five turnovers, including two Connor Bates’ interceptions, as the Class 1A, No. 5 Panthers smothered South Lamar 35-7 in first-round high school football playoff action Friday night.

Spring Garden (10-1) built a 35-0 lead until South Lamar (5-6) prevented the shutout on a 46-yard Keeton Lee Whiteside touchdown catch with 3:42 remaining in the game.

John and Cam Welsh both scored two touchdowns apiece for the Panthers. John Welsh put Spring Garden up 7-0 with a 5-yard run with 6:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Bates scored the Panthers’ second touchdown on a 1-yard run to push the Panther lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Bates also posted eight stops on defense, as did Noah Barber. Barber and Reece Winstead also had an interception apiece, and Mathias Williams recovered a fumble.

Cam Welsh scored on a 6-yard run with 4:47 left before halftime. John Welsh added a 16-yard run with less than a minute remaining in the first half for a 28-0 Panther advantage.

Cam Welsh capped the scoring for Spring Garden with his 50-yard run with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter. He finished with 86 yards on seven carries.

Chapel Pope gained 60 yards on 10 carries for the Panthers. He was also 6-of-12 passing for 59 yards.

Spring Garden will host Coosa Christian in the second round next Friday. The game will be a rematch from Aug. 26 in which the Panthers earned a 27-0 victory. Coosa Christian defeated Hackleburg 51-8 in other first-round action on Friday.