Georgiana spotted visiting John Essex a 12-point lead, stormed back to tie the ball game, and won 18-12 in overtime on a Ricky Everett 8-yard touchdown run in a scrimmage Jamboree on Friday night.

New head coach Shawn Gregory debuted a run-heavy spread offense that totaled 200 yards of rushing led by Everett’s 119 yards on 19 carries.

Junior Keon Binion had 73 yards on 14 attempts.

Both offenses sputtered early – and often – throughout the game. Panthers’ sophomore quarterback Devin Bonner threw four interceptions, a pair that were returned for touchdowns by the John Essex defense.

The teams combined for 33 penalties for a total of 260 yards. John Essex lost six fumbles

John Essex led 6-0 at halftime and scored another touchdown on a 50-yard interception return, before Jody House plowed in from two yards out with 9:50 left in the fourth for Georgiana. Everett then found tightend Adrian Rich for a 25-yard touchdown strike that tied the game with 11 seconds remaining in the game.

John Essex went four-and-out in overtime and Everett sealed the victory with his run.

The Panthers play at Luverne on Friday night and return home on Sept. 3 to host Florala in the Class 1A, Region 2 home opener.