Late Interception Ends TR Comeback Effort

A pass interception with only 14 seconds remaining in the game handed a sudden loss to the Travelers Rest Devildogs and a 20-19 victory to the visiting Palmetto Mustangs on Friday night. The loss hands Travelers Rest an 0-2 home record and a 1-2 mark on the season while Palmetto ended a two game skid to Woodmont and Seneca and earned victory number one in 2023.

The loss followed a 60-27 TR victory over Wade Hampton and since the Devildogs defeated Palmetto 31-20 in Williamston in 2022, everyone felt Friday night would be another easy win. But Palmetto fought back after trailing the Devildogs in the first half and TR failed to overcome adversity. TR blew a 19-6 third quarter lead.

A fourth quarter 40 yard touchdown pass allowed Palmetto to take a 20-19 lead. TR fought back but Palmetto ended the threat at the Mustang 32 yard line with an interception. The Devildogs took over on downs at its own 43 yard line and flagged for a holding penalty. After a quarterback sack and a failed pass attempt, the Devildogs completed a long pass to the Mustang 27 yard line. The threat ended after three failed pass attempts, a penalty and the fatal interception. Palmetto took the wayward pass and returned to the TR 45 yard line as time expired.

Palmetto rushed the football 42 times for 273 yards while quarterback Luke Dobbins completed six of thirteen passes for 121 yards. Tyce Garner led the ground game for Palmetto with 173 yards on 21 carries. The Palmetto defense sacked TR three times.

Elsewhere in Region 3 AAA, everyone lost on Friday night. Chapman, following a victory over Brynes, fell to Boiling Springs 29 - 7. Spartanburg escaped Broome 14-13, Carolina folded to Berea 34-19. And Greer stomped Blue Ridge 51-0. TR faces Woodmont on Friday.