JACKSON – Callaway’s Javaris Perkins picked off an Adam Watsonpass on the final play of the game, and raced 100 yards for atouchdown as the Chargers held off Lawrence County 19-7 Thursdaynight in season-opening football action on Newell Field.

Callaway led 13-0 through three quarters, only to see LawrenceCounty battle back in the latter stages of the game. LCHS cut theCharger lead to 13-7 on a Kendrick Hilliard run with 8:31 left inthe game, then drove the length of the field in the waning moments,only to see Perkins ruin the Cougars’ comeback party on the game’sfinal play. Last season, in a similar situation, Lawrence Countyedged Callaway 27-26 as Matthew Wells caught a touchdown pass fromWatson on the final play.

“We gave ourselves a shot,” said seventh-year Cougar coach MikeDavis, “and I was proud of that. We were down two touchdowns, andreally hadn’t had very much success until the fourth quarter.

“I really like the way our guys battled to the bitter end,” hesaid. “We’ve obviously got to get a lot better if we want to winsome games, but I can’t fault the effort. Our guys played hardagainst a very solid 5A team.”

After stopping Lawrence County on downs early in the secondquarter, Coach Darryl Jones’ Chargers drove 91 yards in 9 plays tograb a 6-0 lead. The score came on a DeVontae Wright 17-yard run.The extra point attempt was missed.

Callaway very nearly added another score right before the half, butWright was stopped just short of the goal line, and the secondquarter clock expired.

A botched kickoff return at the start of the second half forcedLawrence County to start at its own 1-yard line, and that poorfield position ultimately led to a Callaway touchdown. Three playslater, LCHS punted from the 1, giving the Chargers possession atthe Cougar 27-yard line. It took Callaway six plays to score; thetouchdown coming on a quarterback sneak by Carl Brice. Callaway led13-0 and seemingly had the game well in hand.

Lawrence County refused to go quietly. Sporting their new-look”spread” offense, which had sputtered for much of the night, theCougar offense suddenly came alive. First, the Cougars drove 82yards in 11 plays. Watson completed 3 of 4 passes on the march, andHilliard capped it with his touchdown run. Robert Tremaine Brownkicked the extra point, cutting the Callaway margin to 13-7.

After the LCHS defense, which gave a credible effort throughout thenight, forced a Callaway punt, the Cougars took over on their own6-yard line. Powered largely by Watson’s passing-he was 5-of-5 onthe drive before the interception-Lawrence County got to theCharger 15, and had one last shot. That’s when Perkins made thepickoff and return to preserve the victory.

Watson completed 9 of 14 for 119 years. Kendrick Hilliard led LCHSin rushing with 85 yards on 21 carries. Lawrence County played mostof the game without key starters Alexander Montgomery and TrevorHavis, who were nursing injuries.

“Obviously, we wanted to win the game,” coach Davis said, “but weenjoyed our trip to Jackson, and the two games we’ve played withCallaway these last two years. Coach (Darryl) Jones is a class act,and his football teams are always going to be a class act. They’rea quality opponent in every way.”