The Georgiana Panthers ended their triumphant season in the second round of playoffs with a 13-27 loss to the defending State Champions, the Leroy Bears. The Panther’s impressive 10-2 season included six shut-out games leaving their opponents scoreless. 

Head coach Berry Bess said he is very proud of this year’s team. 

“I’m extremely proud of the growth of this team and program,” Bess said. “We have come a long way in the past three years, not only in the wins and losses columns, but overall growth in entirety. It definitely didn’t end the way we would have liked it to, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our guys continued to fight and have fun throughout each game this season.”

Georgiana High administration assistant Carlton Edwards explained that the Panthers began the program three years ago with a 0-10 season. He attributed the team’s extreme growth in the past two years to the players mindset that was guided by the Panther coaches. 

Senior running back No. 3 Jacquese Abner says good-bye to his high school football career. 

“I would like to thank the Georgiana community and the Georgiana coaching staff for taking me in and treating me like this has always been my home,” Abner said. “This team has come so far, from getting up at 6:00 a.m. for long summer workouts and the grinding to become the team we were at the end of the season. It was a pleasure playing for this team and creating the bonds that we now have. Thanks for everything Georgiana!”

During the final game, Abner got the Panthers on the board with a 55-yard touchdown run, and senior running back Cam Miles earned the final Georgiana touchdown with a 24-yard run.