SPRING GARDEN — The Panthers survived visiting Gaylesville, 42-28, with a fourth quarter scoring explosion amidst a surreal high school football setting.

The full moon that had presided for three quarters over a potential Spring Garden disappeared behind a shroud of thickening fog in the fourth quarter. As the light of the lunar orb faded, so did the Panthers' two-touchdown third-quarter lead, decimated by Trojan tailback David Sanford.

Only an eighth grader, Sanford scored on 10- and 33-yard scampers in consecutive Gaylesville possessions, trimming the Panther lead to 21-20 with 8:32 remaining in the game.

In a settling fog more suited for seamen than local lads with pigskin and pads, the Panthers responded with three touchdowns in the next six and a half minutes.

Two scores came from senior Jake Scott, who outraced Trojan defenders to the end zone on rushes of 41 and 34 yards.

Though distancing themselves from the Trojans on the ground, Spring Garden coach Jason Howard said his team might have passed more if it weren't for the fourth-quarter conditions.

“I felt like we wanted to throw it a little more I think Coach Clowdis had a hot-line up to the heavens because when we were fixing to air in out, that fog would roll right back in,” Howard said. “I thought, 'Man, we can't even see the ball if we throw it.'”

Spring Garden rounded out their fourth quarter scoring barrage with a Kaleb Morris's 32-yard interception return.

With just four seconds left in the game, Gaylesville quarterback Luke Murphy notched the final score of the night with a three-yard sneak.

“I thought we had great effort,” coach Brian Clowdis said of his Trojans. “I told them to get their heads up. It kind of stings a little, to fight, fight, fight, to get back in it, and then it ends up being 42-28. The score wasn't indicative of the game.”

The first half contained some excitement as well. Besides the Panther faithful enjoying the rib-eye steak sandwiches, they observed Tyler Smart cap off a 99-yard drive, scampering 39 yards for the game's first score. Gaylesville's Josh Whitaker barreled 83 yards untouched for the Trojan's lone first-half TD.

Spring Garden's Jake Scott added to his 115 yards on the night with a 13-yard score, and the defense came up with two big turnovers -- an interception by Brad Heath deep in Spring Garden territory and a fumble recovery by Bryant Law.

“Bryant had been out for two weeks with a concussion,” Howard said. “He got cleared to play Wednesday. He had a phenomenal game.”

In the third quarter, Spring Garden stretched the lead to 21-6 on senior Trey Littlefield's 11-yard run. Most of Littlefield's 178 yards rushing came behind the blocking of Kasey Stewart, T. J. Brigg, and Dusty Young.

“That's what killed us tonight, they ran the ball off-tackle,” Clowdis said. “We got people there, and we just needed to make a play.”

Howard said he was impressed with what he saw from the Trojans.

“I have to give Gaylesville all the credit in the world, just from the fact that their boys played hard,” he said. “They made big plays, we made big plays. We were fortunate enough to have a couple more big plays than they did.”

Both teams have key region games next week. Spring Garden (3-3), travels to Cedar Bluff (4-2). Gaylesville (3-3) hosts Collinsville, hoping to edge closer to a play-off berth.