Pine Prairie comeback fails against Tara

PINE PRAIRIE -- A late fourth-quarter rally fell short here Friday night, as the Pine Prairie Panthers dropped to 2-3 on the season with a 22-14 loss to Tara High School.
Pine Prairie took the first lead in the game, scoring on a touchdown late in the second quarter.
The scoring drive for the Panthers began at the Tara 28-yard line after a fumble recovery off of a muffed punt. Seven plays later running back JJ Sims plunged in from three yards out. The two-point conversion was good and with 2:06 left in the half, the Panthers held an 8-0 lead.
That lead would be short lived, however, as the Trojans would only need three plays and 53 seconds to tie things up.
After a pass completion to midfield on second and ten, Tara quarterback De’quarius Haynes connected with wide receiver Larry Green for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was good and the game was tied at 8-8 with 1:13 left in the second quarter.
The second half began just like the first, with both squads exchanging possessions, until late in the third quarter.
After a 23-yard punt from Pine Prairie, Tara took over at their 19-yard line. The Trojans drove the ball down to the Panther two-yard line in eight plays.
On the ninth and final play of the possession, Haynes dove in from two yards out to give Tara the lead for the first time in the game. The Trojans tacked on another two-point conversion and now led 16-8 with 2:01 left in the quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers fumbled, allowing Tara to recover the ball at the Pine Prairie 41-yard line. Four plays later, Haynes took it in to the end zone from seven yards out to add to the Trojan lead. The two-point conversion was once again good and Tara now owned a 22-8 advantage with only 1:23 left in the third quarter.
Pine Prairie was able to add to their score late in the final quarter, when Gaten Chaddrick plowed over the defense from the three-yard line. The two-point conversion failed and the Panthers would not score again.
Pine Prairie will host Northwest this Friday.