GUYTON -- The Lakeside-Evans Panthers couldn't escape from a losing box Friday night.

After the Panthers pulled to within one score of South Effingham in the fourth quarter at The Corral, the Mustangs slammed the lid on them with a lengthy scoring drive.  Justin Martell capped the 10-play, 80-yard march with a 26-yard jaunt with 2:25 to go, sealing a crucial 26-13 Region 2-AAAAAA victory.

"For the first time all year, in a game where the offense had to make a play, it did," South Effingham coach Nathan Clark said proudly immediately after the contest.

The Panthers (3-4. 1-2) got the ball one more time but Martell burned them again with an interception near midfield.

South Effingham (3-3. 1-2) never trailed in the contest. It led 14-3 at halftime and 20-3 in the third period.

Lakeside rallied with 10 points early in the fourth period before the Mustangs offense reclaimed control.

In addition to Martell's late score, South Effingham got touchdown runs of 5 and 7 yards from Kadin Ward, and an 8-yard touchdown catch from Ashton Troutman. The scoring toss was thrown by Aubrey Heath, who shared time under center with Kaden De Genaro.

South Effingham will return to action next Friday at home against undefeated Brunswick.