By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

PELHAM – The Homewood Patriots took their first lead of the game with 2:21 remaining in the contest to hand the Pelham Panthers their first loss of the season, 37-30, on Sept. 5 at Ned Bearden Stadium.

The Panthers (1-1, 0-1 in Class 6A, Region 5) drove as far as the Patriots’ 3-yard line on the final series of the game, but were unable to make it into the end zone before time expired.

“They fought their tails off. We had a chance to win it there at the end,” PHS head coach Brett Burnett said. “Our kids fought, and I’m proud of them. That’s a good football team we played, and unfortunately we came up short tonight.”

Pelham lit up the scoreboard just seconds into the game, as Jeremy Ross returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Pelham went up 8-0 when Chase Shearer ran into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Pelham went up 15-0 early in the second quarter on a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Moregan Sharp. Austin Bowen’s PAT split the uprights.

Homewood added a touchdown and PAT a few minutes later to bring the game to 15-7.

Pelham drove the ball as far as the Homewood 1-yard line late in the second quarter, but was unable to punch the ball into the end zone before time expired in the half.

Homewood added a 41-yard field goal on their first drive of the second half, and Pelham answered a few plays later when quarterback Logan Burnett connected with Ross on a 64-yard touchdown reception. Sharp again added the two-point conversion, bringing Pelham’s lead to 23-10 with 8:26 left in the third quarter.

Homewood added a pair of touchdowns late in the third quarter, but missed a PAT on the second touchdown, tying the game at 23-all.

Logan Burnett connected with Tyler Wilburn on a 20-yard touchdown reception with 6:54 left in the game. Bowen’s PAT split the uprights.

Homewood then tied the game at 30 with an 82-yard rushing touchdown on the next play, and took the lead with another touchdown with 2:21 remaining.

The Panthers racked up 395 yards on the night, compared to Homewood’s 495. Sharp recorded 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and ended the night with 25 receiving yards on three catches.

Conner Christian led the Panthers on defense with 11 tackles.