Panthers escape with wild win against Bruins

LONG BEACH ❯❯ Jordan answered with a winning drive in the final minute Friday after a furious comeback by Wilson's football team, which overcame a 21-point, fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead.

Quarterback Jarret Nielsen found receiver Jake Bautista for a touchdown pass in the final seconds, and the Panthers escaped with a 49-43 win in a wild Moore League contest.

Jordan (6-2, 2-2) seemingly had the game in the bag midway through the fourth quarter after running back Jordan Washington scored on a 31-yard run to give the Panthers a 42-21 lead.

However, the Bruins had other ideas.

Wilson (3-5, 2-3) scored on the next drive as running back Christian Chapman reached the end zone on an 11-yard run.

After Washington fumbled and the Bruins recovered, Wilson quarterback Mack Cooper found Chapman again for a 24-yard touchdown reception.

That's when things got intense between Wilson and Jordan, two longtime rivals.

A scuffle broke out on the field after a Bruins onside kick was recovered by the Panthers.

It appeared Jordan would avoid disaster and run the clock out, but a backup running back fumbled the ball and Wilson recovered, setting up a potential game-tying drive with 1:04 left.

The Bruins' drive was aided by a costly unnecessary roughness penalty against the Panthers, which gave Wilson a first down and excellent field position. Wilson cashed in on another costly mistake by Jordan, as Cooper found receiver Maxwell Barbee for a 38-yard touchdown pass that cut the Panthers' lead to 42-41.

Wilson elected to go for a 2-point conversion, and it was successful. Chapman pounded his way through the line and reached the end zone to give the Bruins a 43-42 lead, their first of the night, with 41 seconds left.

There was still enough time for Jordan to make something happen. A great kickoff return from Amari'e Maddox started the Panthers' drive at the Wilson 36.

A pass interference penalty against the Bruins brought the Panthers into the red zone, and Nielsen did the rest. He found Bautista in the end zone and the TD gave Jordan the lead at 49-43 after a successful PAT with 25 seconds left.

Bautista spoke about the final drive and his gamewinning touchdown.

“I told JJ (Nielsen), `throw me the ball.' I got complete confidence in myself that we're going to win this game,” Bautista said. “I have no doubt, and all this work we put in just shows out. Me and JJ locked in.”

Bautista had four catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers defense was able to stop Wilson's offense on its final series.

Jordan coach Jon Nielsen described this game as one of the best wins in his tenure as head coach.

“It was bizarre. We came back and got it done, that's all that matters,” he said.