HOMERVILLE — Commerce football was staring at its first state championship game appearance since 2000 -- but Zebulon Johnson had other ideas.
The Clinch County standout broke away for a 30-yard touchdown in the closing minutes to help the Panthers to a 26-19 win over the Tigers in Homerville.
Commerce (9-4) had battled to a 19-18 lead in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard touchdown from Cole Chancey -- his second score of the night. But the Tigers could not stop an 8-play, 66-yard drive from Clinch County, as Commerce fell in its Class A Public semifinal.
The outcome brought Commerce's season to a close -- the second straight campaign in which the Tigers reached the semifinals.
Commerce's third straight long road trip this postseason looked set for yet another victorious ending early, as the visitors pulled ahead 6-0 on Chancey's 2-yard touchdown run (the two point run attempt failed) -- the plunge capping a 7-play, 71-yard drive. Caleb Brooks also scored in the first half for the Tigers, taking another 2-yard run into the end zone in the second quarter.
Yet the Panthers put up 12 points of their own in the second quarter to enter the half tied at 12-12.
Commerce fell behind 18-12 in the fourth but responded with an impressive drive, Brooks finding Trevonta Williford woth a 32-yard completion to set up Chancey's 1-yard touchdown run. The point after attempt provided the Tigers with a 19-18 advantage -- but it would not hold up.
Brooks paced the Tigers' 248-yard rushing effort with 51 yards on seven carries. Chancey also put up 50 yards on 15 carries, while J'Varius Wood manahed 46 on four carries.
Clinch County rushed for 311 yards.
