A strong defensive effort and two huge turnovers late were enough to push Panther Creek past visiting Middle Creek 16-12 on Friday night.

The Mustangs entered the game off a hard-fought 31-28 win over Cary on Monday night, while the Catamounts limped in having been routed 41-14 the week before at Fuquay-Varina – so much for momentum.

After a 15-minute weather delay and a sluggish offensive start to the game, the two teams had combined for four punts and a missed field goal before Panther Creek’s Jordan Jensen plowed his way into the end zone. With 29 seconds left in the first quarter, the senior quarterback scored from three yards out to give the Catamounts an early 7-0 lead.

Three plays later they had the ball again. A forced fumble on third-and-long deep in Middle Creek territory gave Panther Creek great field position.

The drive fell short of the end zone, but the turnover did lead to points. Senior kicker Garrett Lang drilled a 37-yard field with 9:13 remaining in the first half to push Panther Creek’s lead to 10.

The Mustangs cracked the scoreboard late in the second quarter when senior running back Rashawn King ran 9 yards around the right end for a touchdown. A blocked extra point preserved the Catamounts’ 10-6 lead, which they carried into halftime.

With 9:01 left in the fourth quarter, Middle Creek took its first lead of the game.

On first-and-10 from the Panther Creek 37 yard line, Mustangs quarterback David Salmon hooked up with senior wideout Kevin Jones down the right sideline for a touchdown. Again the point after attempt was blocked and Middle Creek led 12-10.

After stopping the Catamounts on the ensuing possession, the Mustangs marched down the field with ease. Now deep inside Panther Creek (5-2, 4-1 Tri-Nine) territory it appeared as if Middle Creek was on the verge of putting the game away, but the Catamounts’ defense rose the occasion.

Senior defensive back Matt Williams stepped in front of an open Mustangs receiver and picked off Salmon’s pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. With 2:22 left, Panther Creek led by four.

The two-point try failed and Middle Creek (4-3, 3-1) had one last shot at redemption, but it wasn’t to be. This time it was Greg Garneau who came up with the big play, picking off Salmon with 32 seconds left to put the finishing touches on the come-from-behind victory.

The Mustangs and Catamounts sit tied atop the Tri-Nine along with Athens Drive and Fuquay-Varina. Each team has just one conference loss.