A touchdown pass from Chase Klingemann to Trey Barbee followed by a batted pass by Nolan Gavigan on fourth down lifted (16) Apex to a 42-35 win over conference foe (17) Panther Creek in the first round of the 4A state playoffs on Friday night.
Kalen Luten scored two touchdowns and Panther Creek got a strong performance from its defense as the Catamounts earned a share of the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference with a 28-7 win over No. 12 Holly Springs on Friday in the regular-season finale.
With Panther Creek's win and No. 20 Apex's victory over Green hope, three teams (Panther Creek, Holly Springs and Apex) claimed a share of the SWAC title.
For the third straight season, the Panther Creek Catamounts have taken the Fight for 55 on the gridiron, as they earned a win over the Green Hope Falcons at home on Friday night.
The Panther Creek Catamounts suffered a big pre-season injury with the loss of quarterback Amari Odom. In his absence, the Catamounts hope to still put together a big season.