The Pearl River Central Blue Devils handed the Harrison Central Red Rebels their first defeat of the season, 47-21, Friday night before a raucous crowd at Carriere.

“This was our most complete game so far,” PRC Head Coach Larry Dolan said. 

The game was tight through the first half, with the score tied 7-7 until the closing seconds, when senior running back Cade Lee rambled to the 4-yard line with 5 seconds left. A penalty against Harrison Central put the ball on the 2 with the clock showing 0:02, and then a dropped lateral or fumble made for some confusion in the end zone. The ball wasn’t blown dead, and the Blue Devils pounced for the score as time expired, going into halftime up 14-7.

“I honestly thought it was a dead ball,” Dolan said. “Then I heard the assistants calling for them to go for it. If I’d been on the other sideline I’d have been pretty mad.”

Dolan praised the PRC defense for tenacious pressure on senior Rebel quarterback Tavis Williams, a potential Division I recruit, a beefy offensive line and a talented Harrison Central backfield. That persistence paid off in the third quarter, as PRC outscored the visitors 19-7.

“The defense forced several turnovers to set it up,” Dolan said. “I’m just very proud of them tonight.”

The Blue Devils also benefited from consistent running performances by seniors Diante Lenoir, Michael Tatman and Sam Carter.

The victory brought PRC’s record to 2-1.

The Devils travel next Friday to Slidell.