RALEIGH — It sure wasn't a pretty game, but Panther Creek certainly will take it. Despite being penalized 12 times for 113 yards, the Catamounts made several huge plays Friday night that blew the game open as PCHS (2-1) pounded Sanderson 37-7 on the road.

In its two wins so far this season, Panther Creek has thrived by making big plays in the clutch.

Against Durham Jordan two weeks ago, it was the Catamounts — trailing 15-14 — returning a pick for a touchdown and recovering an onside kick that helped Panther Creek grab the lead and steal the game's momentum, eventually rolling to a 30-15 win.

This time around, PCHS was again lifted by an interception return for a touchdown when the game's momentum hung in the balance, and an acrobatic touchdown pass on third and long.

"There were two big game changers," said Panther Creek coach Wayne Bragg. "And it was good kids making good plays ... We harp on that."

With Panther Creek up 14-7 late in the second quarter, Sanderson was on the move, and had driven the ball down to the Catamounts' 28-yard line.

On first-and-10, Panther Creek pressured Spartan quarterback Sam Bauckham, who was picked off by PCHS defensive lineman Josh Tann in the backfield.

Tann rumbled 65 yards for a Catamount touchdown, giving PCHS a 21-7 lead with 2:23 left in the first half.

Then, during the third quarter, the Panther Creek offense made a pivotal play.

On third-and-19 from the Sanderson 42-yard line, PCHS quarterback Kameron Bryant ran a naked bootleg, but was met with heavy pressure from charging Spartan defenders. Not expecting Sanderson's SAM linebacker, Bryant said the thoughts running through his mind were, "I've got to get rid of this ball."

That, he did. With some nifty footwork, Bryant dodged a few Spartans, barely avoiding a sack as he ran to the right sidelines, then lofted a pass to receiver Jay Townsend, who took it in for the score.

"I saw my 6-foot-2 receiver waving his hands, and he did the rest," Bryant said.

One play after the ensuing kickoff — which put the Spartans within their own 5-yard line — the Catamount defense recorded a safety, giving PCHS a 30-7 lead with 8:48 left in the third quarter.

Panther Creek would one more for good measure in the fourth, when running back Zack Miller ran 46 yards for a touchdown to make it the final 37-7.

Panther Creek struck first when Bryant tossed his first of three touchdown passes, as he connected with Townsend on a 66-yard play to make it 7-0 with 5:27 left in the first.

Bryant finished the day with 132 yards through the air on 5-of-15 passing with zero interceptions and three touchdowns.

Sanderson made it 7-7, when Bauckman threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Chris Lampkins with 2:32 remaining in the first.

The Catamounts reclaimed the lead after an 8-yard touchdown hookup from Bryant to receiver Graham Love. They never looked back.

"It's plain and simple: turnovers and making mental errors at crucial times," said Sanderson coach Tony Lewis.

Not that the Catamounts were immune from mistakes.

But just as it did against Jordan, Panther Creek made the big plays it needed to win.

"Defense played great and all summer, we worked on staying resilient," Bryant said. "We just stayed in it and we kept playing.

"Even with 12 penalties, that gave us 12 penalties to do it better," he added. "We learned a lot, even with the sloppy game."

And as Bragg put it, "You take them any way you can get them."