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For most of the season, Providence made headlines with its offense, averaging more than 300 yards and 36 points. Friday, the Panthers' defense made the game's most important plays and Providence held off Ardrey Kell for a 21-14 win.
Clinging to that 21-14 lead with 1 minute, 39 seconds to play, Providence's defense made the play of the game as senior Braxton Deaver batted Knights' quarterback Drew Davies pass in the air and sophomore Justin Askew picked it off to preserve the victory. The Panthers' defense forced three turnovers, all when Ardrey Kell had the ball in its territory.
"We have one of the best offenses in the state," Providence quarterback Chauncey Concepcion said. "But tonight, we were just OK. But the defense picked up our slack and came through for us all night when we needed it."
While Providence's defense was solid, Ardrey Kell tailback Justus Pickett gave the Panthers fits, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown and catching three passes for 25 yards. Pickett, a junior, also had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving him 278 yards total offense for the game.
"(Pickett) is a player," Providence senior offensive/defensive lineman Jake Hall said. "We just tried to contain him all night, not let him get in the open field."
After Pickett scored on a 7-yard run on the Knights' second drive, Providence answered two plays later when Damon Magazu threw a 13-yard halfback pass to Braxton Deaver to tie the game at 7 in the first quarter.
Neither team scored in the second quarter until Concepcion found Brandon Braxton, who slipped a tackle on a screen pass and took it 36 yards for a touchdown, giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead with 2:18 left.
On the next play, Pickett caught the kickoff at the goal-line and ran 100 yards for a score and 14-14 tie.
But Providence (7-4, 4-2) wasn't done. Concepcion led his team 61 yards, capped by fullback Dan D'Andrea 1-yard plunge with 30 seconds to go, giving the Panthers a 21-14 lead.
