Turnovers cost Lee West Middle in 26-6 loss to Sumter County

LEESBURG — Lee West Middle School spent much of Wednesday evening threatening to take control of its Deep South Conference matchup with Sumter County.

The Trojans just couldn’t finish the job.

Turnovers ended three promising possessions, including two drives deep into Sumter territory, and the Panthers repeatedly turned those mistakes into big plays in a 26-6 victory.

What eventually became a 20-point loss was an 8-6 game at halftime and remained that way until the final seconds of the third quarter.

The first turnover actually went Lee West’s way.

After a scoreless opening quarter, Sumter drove to the Trojans’ 2-yard line before fumbling. Lee West recovered, only to fumble moments later and give the Panthers possession at the 15.

Four plays later, Sumter scored and converted the two-point attempt for an 8-0 lead.

Lee West responded with its biggest offensive play of the half when quarterback Daquan Styles broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Trojans down 8-6 at halftime.

Then came a second half filled with missed opportunities.

Lee West took the opening kickoff and methodically drove downfield, consuming almost the entire third quarter. Styles broke a 25-yard run to the Sumter 31, Messiah Bishop followed with a nine-yard gain and Ethan Anderson helped the Trojans pick up another first down.

With Lee West threatening to take the lead, however, Sumter intercepted a pass with 27 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Styles was injured on the play and did not return, although he was walking on the sideline afterward.

The Panthers needed only one offensive play to capitalize.

On the first snap of the fourth quarter, Sumter connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass to stretch its lead to 14-6.

Lee West immediately mounted another threat.

Emauri Harris gave the Trojans excellent field position on the ensuing kickoff, and runs by Bishop and Anderson helped move the ball to the Sumter 25. Ah’Mani Richards then carried to the 12, putting Lee West within striking distance again.

But another fumble ended the drive at the 7.

This time, the punishment was immediate.

On Sumter’s first play, the Panthers’ quarterback broke free and raced 93 yards for a touchdown.

Instead of Lee West potentially tying the game, Sumter had suddenly taken command.

Even then, the Trojans kept coming. Harris returned the next kickoff across midfield to the Sumter 40, giving Lee West another opportunity.

The Panthers’ defense made sure it would be the last.

On third down, three Sumter defenders pressured the Lee West quarterback and tipped his pass into the air. The Panthers intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.

The final margin didn’t reflect how competitive the game had been for three quarters.

Lee West repeatedly moved the football into position to change the game.

Sumter County repeatedly took it away.