BY EVAN BROWN
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION — Smiths Station students flooded TC Britton Field Friday night, surrounding the Panthers in celebration after a 28-20 Homecoming victory over Wetumpka.
The celebration came after Smiths Station (1-5) erased a 14-13 halftime deficit, scoring 15 points in the second half before holding off a late push from Wetumpka (4-2). The victory also marked the Panthers’ first win of the season.
“It’s a feeling we haven’t felt in a long time,” senior tight end Eli Stonbraker said.
That feeling followed a second-half takeover by running back Trevon Kee and the Panthers’ defense, as Smiths Station turned a one-point deficit into a 28-14 lead before Wetumpka scored late.
Kee had 33 carries for 289 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Running back Luke Sexton added 123 yards on 17 carries as Smiths Station’s run game helped the Panthers take over.
“Our offensive line came off the ball,” Smiths Station head coach Blair Harrison said. “They knew where they were going, and when they got there, they were violent.”
Harrison gave high praise to fourth-string quarterback Maverick Vining for getting the ball to his playmakers.
“I can’t say enough for [Vining] getting them the ball,” Harrison said.
Wetumpka struck first when wide receiver Jordan Hill scored on a 20-yard screen pass on the opening drive of the ball game, putting the Indians up 7-0.
However, Smiths Station answered just 58 seconds later when Kee broke loose down the Indians sideline to score on a 72-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7.
The Indians regained the lead on their ensuing drive when wide receiver Patrick Davis caught a 43-yard pass from reserve quarterback Karsen Tate, going up 14-7.
Kee and running back Luke Sexton continued to provide big plays on the ground for Smiths Station in the first half, with Kee finding the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run to bring the Panthers within a point. A dropped snap on the PAT try kept Wetumpka ahead 14-13.
With Wetumpka facing fourth-and-1 on the following drive, the Smiths Station crowd erupted, forcing two false starts and pushing the Indians back. On fourth-and-11, defensive back Jajuan Oliver finished the drive, tackling the receiver short of the line to gain and forcing a turnover on downs.
“They were loud all day. I mean, their left tackle and right tackle couldn’t hear the snap cadence,” Stonbraker said.
Neither team could find much of an offensive rhythm early in the second half, with both defenses forcing three-and-outs.
Smiths Station eventually found its rhythm late in the third quarter. Sexton provided the spark the Panthers’ offense needed, breaking free up the middle for a 53-yard rush before converting a third-and-1 with a 2-yard run to the Wetumpka 31 as the third quarter came to an end.
Kee finished that same drive, powering through several Indians for an 11-yard touchdown with 9:19 remaining, giving Smiths Station its first lead of the night. Kee punched in the two-point try to extend the Panthers’ lead to 21-14.
The crowd erupted on Kee’s go-ahead touchdown and the energy in Panther Stadium completely shifted.
“I was like, we just won,” Stonbraker said. “We all felt it.”
On Smiths Station’s two-point try, a Wetumpka defender committed a 15-yard penalty, giving the Panthers favorable field position for the ensuing kickoff. Harrison took advantage, calling for an onside kick that Smiths Station successfully recovered to earn an extra possession.
Kee continued to run hard, helping move Smiths Station inside the 1-yard line before punching the ball in with 7:55 remaining to make it 28-14.
Wetumpka refused to go away, scoring late to cut the deficit to 28-20, but Smiths Station ultimately held on to secure the victory, sending the Homecoming crowd onto the field after the final whistle.
For Stonbraker, the victory carried additional meaning as a senior playing in his final Homecoming game.
“We went through too much,” Stonbraker said. “And in front of everybody, we got to get the win, and it felt so freaking sweet.”
Smiths Station’s next matchup is on the road against Enterprise (4-2) on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
