Russell Hedges
Rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Parkway Panthers advanced to the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs with a 49-34 victory over the Zachary Broncos Friday night in Zachary.
The No. 2 seed Panthers (12-0) will pay at No. 14 Covington (9-4) in the semifinals next Friday. This marks the first time Parkway has gone as far as the semifinals.
Parkway quarterback Brandon Harris, an LSU signee, accounted for 290 total yards and five touchdowns. He rushed 19 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed eight of 19 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
Artavious Lynn caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from Harris, and Brodrick Jefferson scored on a 67-yard run. Demetrius McAtee caught a 26-yard touchdown pass and scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down. Harris also threw a 24-yard TD pass to Jared Lancaster.
The Parkway defense allowed 380 total yards but made stops when it had to. The Panthers’ first touchdown was set up by a blocked punt. A Hunter Huckaby interception also led to a touchdown in the first quarter.
Parkway raced to a 14-0 lead, but Zachary (9-4) rallied to tie it. Jefferson’s run gave the Panthers a 27-21 lead with 40.3 seconds left in the first half. Parkway extended the lead to 42-28 going into the fourth quarter. Zachary got within eight with 6:57 left. But the Panthers responded by driving for the clinching touchdown. After a fourth- down pass interference call on Zachary, Harris scored from 13 yards out with 1:33 left.
