JESUP – Liberty County’s fifth turnover of the game helped seal their fate in Friday night’s season opener.

P.J. Brown’s interception at the goal line with less than 30 seconds to play secured the Wayne County Yellow Jackets’ 24-21 win over the visiting Panthers at Jaycee Stadium.

Liberty drove to the Jackets’ 14-yard line, but on second-and-10, Harris picked off Jack Jacobson’s pass, and Wayne County ran out the clock.

The Panthers closed to within three after Jaeir Roberts and Aaron Brown connected for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Liberty then recovered an onside kick to retain possession and converted a fourth down on its final drive.

Four of Liberty’s five turnovers occurred inside its own 20-yard line.

“They were put in some bad situations all night and for the most part, they held their own,” Panthers coach Tony Glazer said of his defense.

Wayne County struck first in the game, as A.J. Bennett threw the first of his two touchdown passes, finding Jon Michael Harris for the score. Bennett finished 20 of 34 for 203 yards.

Jacobson found Aaron Brown for a touchdown pass early in the second quarter, and Aidan Ronk’s PAT tied the game 7-7.

Wayne County answered with a Dylan Mendez field goal on its next possession, but the Panthers grabbed a 14-10 just before halftime on Jacobson’s TD pass to Kalale Green.

But the Jackets capitalized on a Panthers miscue, as Gha’gaiedn Frazier ran a fumble back for a score and a 17-14 lead early in the third quarter.

Wayne County stretched the lead to 24-14 on Bennett’s touchdown toss to Trenten Houston early in the fourth quarter.

Noel Best ran 17 times for 116 yards, and the Panthers racked up 168 yards rushing on 32 attempts. Roberts and Jacobson combined to go 9-of-28 for 138 yards and three TDs. Brown topped all receivers with four catches for 44 yards.

Bennett ran for 38 yards on 17 attempts, but Liberty’s defense held the Jackets to 33 yards rushing on 23 carries.

“We had a lot more intensity on defense, especially stopping the run,” Glazer said. “That was good to see.”

The Panthers will visit Richmond Hill this Friday, after the Wildcats nudged past Effingham County 22-21 in their season opener. Richmond Hill blocked a potential game-tying extra point kick with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

The Wildcats are physical on both sides of the ball, Glazer said, and he’s been impressed with their defensive line.

“They’re well coached and fundamentally sound,” he said. “They play very mistake-free football. Everything you get, you’re going to have to earn.”

C.J. Menzie ran for 116 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries for the Wildcats. Quarterback Gunner Mobley was 11 of 21 for 57 yards passing.

The Panthers have been emphasizing ball security this week in practice.

“We have to understand you cannot turn the ball over,” Glazer said. “It does not matter who you play, if you turn the ball over five times and they turn it over zero times, you’re probably not going to win. And most times, the game is probably not going to be close.”

Despite the loss, Glazer has reminded the team their objectives set before the season are still within reach.

“We also know that the main goals we set are still in play,” he said. “We want to win a region championship, make the state playoffs and have a home playoff game. Regardless of what happened last week, all those things are still alive.”