Ellwood Christian’s Jeremy Perkins intercepted a pass in the closing minutes and ran it back 60 yards for a game winning touchdown in the Eagles’ 32-24 victory over Winterboro Friday night. 

Perkins’ interception gave the Eagles the edge in a game that was tied late in the fourth quarter and also made the Eagles 2-0 for the second straight year.

“It was big for our kids to see our mistakes and be able to capitalize once we did what we needed to do,” said Ellwood Christian head coach Trey Pike.

The Eagles fumbled six times, including losing five of them, but were still able to pull out the win.

Rayford Mitchell scored twice and Achilles Rutledge had a touchdown score on a quarterback sneak.

Ellwood led 16-14 at halftime and had a two-point lead in the fourth quarter with just over three minutes to play. Winterboro blocked a punt for a safety and got the ball back after Ellwood was forced to kick the Bulldogs the ball back.

With Winterboro driving for the win, Perkins made the play of the night.

“It was big on our guys just to keep on playing,” Pike said. “They just kept playing hard and fighting.”

Ellwood Christian (2-0) will play at Lynn next week.