It took seven years, but the Liberty County High School Panthers finally defeated the McIntosh Academy Buccaneers Friday night, opening the 2009 season with a 13-12 victory at Olvey Field.

Both teams came out with different strategies. The predominately running squads opened up passing games to drive the offense.

The Buccaneers scored first, balancing a combination of the run and pass and allowing the quarterback to run in for the first touchdown and eating 10 minutes. Their kicker missed the point after.

The Buccaneers forced the Panthers to a quick three-and-punt and began the second quarter, again consuming the clock by converting several third downs. The Panther defense, however continued to pressure the Bucs QB, eventually forcing a turnover on downs and giving Panther QB Julian Stokes a chance to drive the ball before the half.

Stokes ran the ball twice, getting a first down. On the next play the ball was snapped above Stokes’ head, but he snagged the tip, moved toward the sideline and found Mike Rodriguez in full stride for a completed pass and another first down.

Stokes tried another pass to Chris Crawford, but the Bucs defended the throw. Stokes stepped back for another pass and drew a roughing the passer penalty to get a new set of downs.

Then Stokes found Rodriguez again and the catch brought the Panthers inside the Bucs 7-yard line. Shadrach Thornton carried the ball in for a Panther touchdown and Eddie Chipple made the PAT to go up 7-6 at the half’s two minute warning.

The Panther defense held the Bucs and on the next offensive play Stokes connected with Sinjin Mullins for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Chipple’s PAT was short and wide but the Panthers closed the half up 13-6.

After the break, the Bucs and Panthers went back and forth in the third quarter. Stokes had a good run for 40-yards, Melvin King had a touchdown saving tackle from a kick return and Byron Johnson blocked what would have been a touchdown pass for the Bucs. But both squads were held scoreless.

Stokes had a 50-yard run and it looked like the Panthers were about to score, but the Bucs defense forced the punt.

The Bucs made another drive, eating up the clock and scoring. Instead of going for the tie they tried for a 2-point conversion and the win, but the Panther defense stopped the run at the 1.

The Panthers came back with another drive and Stokes brought the offense down to the Bucs 10-yard line. The Panthers lined up and the crowd roared as the clock clicked off the last six seconds.

The Panthers had only one fumble in the game and fewer penalties. The offense looked organized and head coach Kirk Warner was quick to tell his team to savor the win, but to be ready for the rest of the games.

"I told them anytime you win a game by one point there is still work to be done," he said. "We have yet to tap our full potential and I told them as hard as they worked last week we have to work even harder next week."

He said team unity led to the outstanding win against a squad that continuously challenged them.

"We’ve been trying to get to that team and I told them all summer we have something special brewing," Warner said. "Mike (Rodriguez) and Shad (Shadrach Thornton) made big plays. Mike made a big catch that set up the second touchdown so they definitely lived up to my expectations. We just took a baby step tonight. Next week we need to build off this game and the one after that and we need to keep getting better and better after each game."

Warner said Stokes opened up the passing game because he felt comfortable in the pocket and has become more vocal about what he expects from teammates.

"That is what we need out of our quarterback position," he said. "He was vocal and he led by example on the field and I tip my hat off to him."

Stokes said he trusted his offensive line.

"I believed that they know what they are doing and I knew my receivers could catch the ball. So I’m going to stay comfortable in my pocket and run if I have to. If not I’ll stay in the pocket and throw the ball," he said."

He said this game was in his mind all summer

"I learned we had not beaten them since 2002," he said. "I said it was going to be my number one goal. We were going to get this game down and we were going to get a victory tonight and that is definitely what we did."

Earning nods for their defensive work was AJ Bennett, Demetrick Mothershed, Thomas Penny, Tucory Rhodes and Solomon Ball.