Banks edges Union in shootout 40-36
Owenby supplies 489 yards of offense and five TDs
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer

The fans that came out to the football game last Friday night were not only treated to a heartwarming pregame ceremony honoring all of the seniors that participate in the band, cheerleading, and football. Then they were treated to a heart-pounding football game that turned out to be one of the most excting Panther football games in recent years.

Both teams combined for eleven touchdowns in a 40-34 victory for the Leopards of Banks County (3-4). Sophomore quarterback Kolt Owenby threw for 393 yards and three Td's, ran for 96 yards and two Td's. Sophomore Blake Gowder was the recipient of two of Owenby's three touchdown strikes, including a 79-yard score with just over nine minutes remaining to put the Panthers on top again at 34-27. Gowder's touchdown gave the Panthers their first lead since it was 7-0 in the first quarter.

Union County (1-6) took the opening drive 65 yards for a score. The drive was capped off with a 21 yard touchdown run from Kolt Owenby on 4th down and inches. Banks County answered with a 57-yard run to tie the game at 7-7. The Panthers turned the ball over but got the ball right back when Senior Colt Dyer recovered a fumble. However the Panthers missed a 27 yard field goal wide right and the first quarter came to an end with the score knotted at 7-7.

Banks County put together an 83 yard drive and took back the lead on an 11 yard run on 4th down and three. However, Union County responded with a drive of their own when Owenby hit Gowder for a 40 yard touchdown pass. The score was only tied at 14-14 for 50 seconds because Banks answered right back with a 26- yard touchdown run.

The Panthers were driving at the end of the first half but ran out of time just inside the Banks County 30 yard line. The drive began on the Union County 12 and The Panthers drove nearly 70 yard before the clock ran out. So at halftime, Union still trailed by a touchdown 21-14.

At the start of the third quarter, Union fumbled on it's first play from scrimmage and Banks took over at the Union County 33 but just over one later, Banks fumbled the ball and it was recovered by senior Josh Atkinson on the 30 yard line.

The Panthers took advantage of the Leopard turnover and went 70 yards again. This time Union put points on the board when Owenby found Jared Arrant for a 25-yard touchdown reception. This time the score was only tied 21-21 for eleven seconds. Banks County struck back with a 50-yard touchdown run to take a 27-21 lead. The Leopards missed a 35 yard extra-point attempt after being flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the score.

After a controversial Panther fumble deep in Banks County territory, the Union defense held Banks to a three and out and got the ball right back. The Panthers then proceeded to go on a 73 yard scoring drive with Owenby picking up his second rushing touchdown on an 11 yard run. However, just like Banks, Union was unsuccessful on the P.A.T. attempt and the score was deadlocked at 27-27.

On Banks County's first possession of the fourth quarter, Union held them to another three and out on defense. A good punt from Banks County would force the Panthers to start on their own 21 yard line.

The Panthers took the lead on a one play, 79-yard scoring drive that took a total of twelve seconds off the clock.

The score came when Owenby connected with Gowder over the middle. Gowder went right, then cut back left and wound up taking it the distance for Owenby's third touchdown pass of the game. The score also gave Union it's first lead since it was 7-0 in the first quarter.

Banks County would come back with a 49 yard touchdown pass and a 39 yard touchdown run to take a 40-34 lead. The Panther's final drive would stall out at midfield and Banks would simply run out the clock.

One good thing that did came out of the loss was the fact that Union County will now host one more home game. The Panthers will host either Putnam County or Oglethorpe County on November 9th. The Panthers will know who they will be playing after this Friday's game at Rabun.

Rabun County comes into the game without a win. However, Rabun did beat Union 41-0 last season. Union last beat Rabun in 2005 by the score of 21-14. Union has a record of 3-5 against Rabun since 2000.

Rabun comes into the game averaging only 13 points a game on offense and allowing 39 points a game on defense. The Panthers are averaging about 21 points a game and allowing 31 points a game on defense. The winner of the game will finish fourth in 8AA North. The loser will take fifth place. Kickoff will be at 7:30 at Rabun County High School this Friday night.