PALMETTO — Countryside blocked two punts that resulted in 12 points en route to the victory.
First, Scotty Dailey snagged a Palmetto punt out of the air and ran it in with 7:44 left in the first half.
“That’s something we practice,” Cougars coach Eric Schmitz said, “getting into the lane to get a block then scoop and score.”
Quincy Washington answered right back for Palmetto with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
“He is very talented,” Schmitz said. “If he gets a seam, he can really hurt you.”
Washington had his hand in a little bit of everything for Palmetto. He rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns and blocked a punt of his own.
With 8:04 left in the game, the Cougars got their second blocked punt. Soon after, Dante Satcher had a 32-yard run. Two plays later, the senior punched it in from the 1, but the two-point conversion failed.
With five minutes left, Palmetto’s Jack Allison was sacked, resulting in a 12-yard loss and forcing a punt. After a three-and-out, the Cougars punted, giving Palmetto one last chance to win the game. But Allison was picked off by Satcher with just less than four minutes left, securing the win for the Cougars.
The Tigers were shut out in the second half while being held to 69 yards.