It's been five weeks since the Georgiana Panthers have tasted victory, but that streak came to end Friday night with a much-needed 48-10 victory over region foe Keith High School.

&#8220That was a big game for us,” Georgiana head coach Donald Ray Mixon said. &#8220We needed this one.”

The win Friday night puts a huge amount of importance on next week's showdown with Excel in that if the Panthers win, they're in the playoffs.

&#8220It's simple, we win next week, we get in,” Mixon said.

The Panthers came out of the gate Friday playing like they were trying to get in the playoffs as Ronald Scott returned the opening kickoff 42 yards and then scored from 14 yards out to give Georgiana a 7-0 after Kyle Nelson's extra point.

Just like the Panthers did in their last win against Southern Choctaw, the Georgiana defense stepped up with several big plays, including an interception by Zebbie Mitchell that stopped the Bears deep in Panther territory.

&#8220(Mitchell) has been a big player for us the past few weeks,” Mixon said.

After a Keith rusher scored and the play was called back, Mitchell picked off the ensuing pass and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown, but that too was called back due to a block in the back.

The Panthers did retain possession and Cornelius McMeans sprinted in from eight yards out to give Georgiana a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Nelson added a touchdown to his extra points as the senior bruised his way into the end zone from three yards out to give the Panthers a 21-0 lead.

&#8220Kyle really stepped up for us tonight at fullback, running and blocking,” Mixon said.

McMeans quickly increased that lead as the senior picked off a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, giving the Panthers a 28-0 lead.

Keith wouldn't quit though and answered McMeans' score with a three-yard touchdown run that the Bears scored by pushing the pile of players, although no flag was thrown.

In the second half, the Panthers came out strong once again with Scott scoring from four yards out and after forcing the Bears' offense to go to the air once again, Damien McIntosh picked off a Keith pass and returned it 71 yards for the touchdown.

Quarterback Andre Paige added a sneak for a touchdown and Keith earned a safety after Georgiana fumbled out of the back of the end zone to close out the game, 48-10.

Offensively for the Panthers, McMeans was the leading rusher with 170 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Scott added 75 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns while Nelson finished with 34 yards on five carries and one touchdown and was 6-of-7 on extra point attempts.

The Panthers return to region action Friday night against the Excel Panthers. Georgiana can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Excel.

Kickoff for Friday's game at Excel is scheduled for 7 p.m.