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Georgiana used a big second half and scored 28 points en route to a 40-8 road win over Florala in the first region game of the season for both teams Thursday night.

The Panthers improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in 1A Region 2, while the Wildcats fell to 2-1 and 0-1.

Georgiana began the game at its own 47-yard line and picked up a first down when Bernard McCaster threw a 22-yard pass to Jalen Crenshaw. Jayden Bradberry and Bradley Norman each came up with big sacks and helped the defense force a punt.

With Florala pinned deep, Gage Davis found Carrington Garland on a 25-yard completion for a first down and some breathing room. The drive ultimately stalled and resulted in a punt as neither team could produce on their opening possessions.

The Panthers took over near midfield on their second drive and moved the chains with a 12-yard run by McCaster. Princeton Miles earned two first down carries before McCaster hit Kaveon Miles on an 8-yard pass and first down to the 25-yard line. The first quarter came to an end with both teams locked in a scoreless battle. Fredrick Curry converted a third-and-2 with a 6-yard run and then made an 11-yard reception. Curry ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion failed and kept the score 6-0 with 10:42 left in the first half.

Rayshon Coleman sparked the Wildcats with a huge kickoff return into opposing territory. The Wildcats were once again held in check and had to punt despite the good field position.

Georgiana needed only three plays to strike again when McCaster connected with Miles on a 79-yard touchdown pass. The conversion was no good, but the lead moved to 12-0 at the 6:50 mark in the second quarter.

Following turnovers on downs for each side, Florala took over and put a solid drive together. Davis opened the next series with a 5-yard pass to Jeremiah Stone, and a pass interference call moved the ball to the visiting 41-yard line. Davis converted a third-and-5 with a 13-yard reception to Garland at the 23. Back-to-back incompletions and two false start penalties brought an end to the drive. Coleman intercepted a deep pass in the end zone on the final play of the first half.

The second half opened with another efficient kickoff return from Coleman. The Wildcats were again stymied on offense and sacked three straight times for another punt. The Panthers began their opening possession at the home 13-yard line. Bradberry made a clutch stop on fourth down and forced another turnover on downs with no score.

With Coleman now at quarterback, Florala started the next series at its own 11-yard line. Coleman had a 15-yard run on first down before converting a second-and-6. Elijah McMeans converted a second-and-15 with a 17-yard run as Bradberry had a 4-yard run across midfield. Coleman then scrambled in the backfield and avoided a sack but somehow found McMeans open for a 47-yard touchdown. Davis then found McMeans on the two-point conversion and cut the deficit to 12-8 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.

Georgiana responded back right away with a 59-yard touchdown run by Miles. The two-point conversion was good for a 20-8 lead at the 3:30 mark. The Wildcats almost made a fake punt work, but a penalty negated the play and resulted in another punt.

Preston Truman made a big tackle on the final play of the third quarter as the Panthers started the fourth with a punt. Garland returned the punt to the visiting 34-yard line, but the offense was unable to get much going.

Georgiana used two more explosive plays and widened its lead with a pair of touchdowns for a 32-8 lead with 5:34 remaining in the game. The visiting defense contained Florala once more before a punt return resulted in the last score of the night and made the final tally 40-8.

The Wildcats will welcome county rival Pleasant Home (1-2, 0-1) for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 13.