Down 12-0 and staring elimination from playoff contention right in the face, the Georgiana Panthers reeled off 38 unanswered points Friday night, lifting them to victory and the Class 2A State Playoffs.

The Panthers, who defeated region rival Southern Choctaw when the Indians were ranked No. 1, have found a way to win all season when the stage is the biggest.

&#8220We win when it counts,” Georgiana head coach Donald Ray Mixon said jokingly.

Although Friday night's game with Excel was the ultimate contest, the Panthers have another uphill battle this Friday against Class 4A'a Hillcrest Jaguars of Evergreen.

The Jaguars are 0-9 this season, but Mixon said their record should not fool you.

&#8220They look pretty good, actually,” Mixon said. &#8220They run a lot of shotgun and they are big, physical and fast.”

Playing a higher classification team is not exactly what Mixon wished for heading into the playoffs, but a win Friday night would be double special for the Panther head coach.

A win Friday would build momentum heading into the playoffs and it would also be special for the Georgiana head coach as Hillcrest is Mixon's alma mater.

The Panthers travel to Hillcrest of Evergreen this Friday before next Friday's first round of the playoffs at American Christian in Northport.

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