Terrell Academy holds off Deerfield-Windsor for 24-14 win

LBANY — Terrell Academy had watched a 17-point lead shrink to three. Deerfield-Windsor had seized the momentum, its defense was beginning to reach quarterback Bryse Peachey, and a fourth-quarter penalty had left the Eagles facing third-and-25.

Then Peachey and Alex Klughart delivered the play that decided the game.

Peachey escaped pressure from Deerfield-Windsor’s Mangham Pippin, raced toward the sideline and jumped as he released a pass downfield. Klughart rose over a defender to make the catch, giving Terrell Academy a first down at the Knights’ 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Walt Lee powered through the middle for a 9-yard touchdown that secured the Eagles’ 24-14 victory over their archrival Thursday night at Webb Memorial Stadium’s Lowe Field.

The region game was moved forward one night because of the threat posed by Hurricane Isaias. Terrell Academy improved to 3-3, while Deerfield-Windsor fell to 1-6.

Most of Terrell Academy’s offense came from Peachey’s legs. The senior quarterback scored twice, including a 72-yard sprint, and repeatedly extended drives on third and fourth down.

But with the Knights threatening to complete a comeback, it was Peachey’s arm—and Klughart’s catch—that produced the game’s defining moment.

Lee followed the completion with a 5-yard run before bursting through the defense for the touchdown. Liam Kelley’s extra point increased the lead to 24-14 with 5:23 remaining.

Deerfield-Windsor’s ensuing kickoff return went awry when the ball got past the returner, leaving the Knights backed up at their 3. Quarterback Maddox Skipper completed short passes to Turner Simmons and Drew Harris to move the offense, but a Terrell Academy interception ended the threat.

The Eagles appeared headed for an easy night early.

After Deerfield-Windsor went three-and-out on the opening possession, Terrell Academy began near its 35 and drove behind Peachey and Lee. Facing fourth-and-7, Peachey swept around the left side for a first down. He then completed his first pass of the night to Klughart, moving the Eagles to the Deerfield 29.

Two plays later, Peachey scored on a 19-yard run. Kelley’s extra point made it 7-0.

Deerfield-Windsor punted again, and Terrell Academy struck immediately. Peachey took the first snap from the Eagles’ 28 and broke free for a 72-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0.

Peachey appeared to score a third touchdown later in the half, but the run was erased by an illegal block in the back. The Knights’ defense held from there, but Kelley converted a 42-yard field goal to give Terrell Academy a 17-0 advantage.

Deerfield-Windsor needed a spark before halftime. Skipper provided one.

With less than a minute remaining, Skipper hit Jack Hallford along the sideline, and Hallford raced 80 yards for a touchdown with 21 seconds left. Brysen Newsome added the extra point, cutting the margin to 17-7 at halftime.

The Knights kept the pressure on by recovering an onside kick to begin the second half, but they fumbled two plays later and gave the ball back.

Deerfield-Windsor’s defense continued to tighten, eventually stopping Terrell Academy on fourth-and-3 at the Knights’ 36. Runs by Simmons helped start the ensuing drive before Skipper faked a sideline throw and found Banks Revel open over the middle.

Revel carried the ball to the 1, and Simmons scored on the next play. Newsome’s kick reduced Terrell Academy’s lead to 17-14.

The Knights had made it a game. They could not finish the comeback.

Peachey, Klughart and Lee answered with the decisive fourth-quarter drive, giving Terrell Academy the rivalry victory and an important region win.

Deerfield-Windsor is scheduled to visit Tiftarea Academy next Friday. Terrell Academy will return to Dawson to host Calhoun County.

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