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Southside rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat Montgomery Academy 44-34 in the second round of the AHSAA Class 3A playoffs Friday night on the road.

The Panthers improved to 10-2 overall and appears like they will get to host Bayside Academy (9-3) on Friday, Nov. 22. The Admirals defeated Alabama Christian Academy 23-7 to advance.

Montgomery Academy got off to a hot start to start the game. They took their opening possession for a touchdown and then forced an interception early in Southside’s first drive. They cashed in the turnover for a touchdown, taking a 14-0 lead with the extra point at the 6:42 mark of the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Panthers fumbled the ball right back to the Eagles. This time, however the Panther defense stood tall and forced an incompletion on fourth-and-12.

Southside then went to work on the next drive. Jaibrien Gresham capped off the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion to cut the lead to 14-8 with 2:11 left in the first quarter.

On the next possession, Southside quarterback LaTreyveon Davis hit new Auburn-commit Erick Smith for a conversion on fourth-and-15. Amadrion Smith knotted the game at 14-14 on a nine-yard touchdown run. The two-point try failed with 6:36 left in the second quarter.

Montgomery Academy went back to the ground game and retook the lead 21-14 with 4:50 left in the first half.

After an exchange of punts, Southside got the ball back at its own 20 with 1:08 remaining before the break. The drive, aided by a pass interference penalty that negated an Eagle interception, was capped on a trick play at the goal line. Lineman Javien Gipson took the direct snap and scored from one yard out as the horn sounded. Amadrion Smith hit Erick Smith for the two-point conversion to give Southside a 22-21 lead at halftime.

Montgomery Academy responded with a drive of power runs to begin the second half, as they retook the lead 28-21.

Southside had to convert a pair of fourth-down plays thanks to completions from Davis to Cedrick Simmons and Erick Smith to keep the drive alive. Gresham ended the drive with another rushing touchdown from a full-house backfield formation. The try for two failed leaving the game tied at 28-28 headed to the fourth quarter.

The Panthers finally got the stop in the second half they needed and Davis’ 35-yard run to the nine-yard line set up Derick Smith, who’s also committed to Auburn, for a nine-yard touchdown run.Simmons took the hand-off from Derick Smith on the two-point conversion to take a 36-28 lead with 10:28 remaining in the game.

Montgomery Academy had their drive stall in the red zone, but the 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Amadrion Smith.

From there, the Panthers put the game away with another long drive. Derick Smith capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. He threw the two-point conversion to Erick Smith to take a commanding 44-28 lead.

Montgomery Academy came back and scored a touchdown, but the pass on the two-point conversion was broken up.

Southside recovered the ensuing onside kick and made one final stop to seal the win.