Apex tips Panther Creek in overtime to earn first-round NCHSAA football playoff win

Defense matters in the playoffs.

Apex High School’s defense was a catalyst for the Cougars on Friday, intercepting a Panther Creek pass in each quarter of the Cougars’ 42-35 overtime win over their Southwest Wake Conference rival in the first round of the N.C. 4A state playoffs.

A tipped fourth-down pass preceded by two tackles for loss sealed the Cougars’ first state playoff win since 2008.

Apex had won the schools’ regular season meeting, 24-7.

Apex two-way player Ian Bright, who recorded the second tackle for loss on the game’s final possession, had two touchdown runs that helped the Cougars to a 21-7 halftime lead.

Bright completed a 42-yard halfback touchdown pass to Trey Barbee that put Apex (10-1) ahead 28-21 in the third quarter’s waning minutes

Touchdown runs of 12 and 23 yards by Kalen Luten and a 21-yard air strike from Will Clancy to Sergio Castellon kept Panther Creek (7-4) within striking distance. With 2:33 remaining in the third quarter, the game was even at 21-21. Another Clancy to Castellon connection — this time for 71 yards with 9:08 remaining — pulled the count even at 28.

Bright scored, again, on a 2-yard run with 6:49 to go. Luten then knotted the game again, at 35-35, with his own 2-yard run with 1:28 to play to force overtime.

Cougars quarterback Chase Klingemann made several big plays, including his 23-yard run that set up Bright for Apex’s last touchdown in regulation. Klingemann, in overtime, completed a 6-yard pass on fourth and 6 for the winning touchdown.

Apex kicker Caleb Willis converted all six of his extra point attempts on the night.

Nolan Gavigan tipped Clancy’s pass that pushed Apex into the second round at Hillside next Friday.

Around the region

In other Wake and Durham County results, East top seed Hillside advanced past Hoke County. No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons and No. 12 Millbrook both advanced, as well, setting up a clash of the titans in Round 2 next weekend.

In another expected battle, No. 6 Cleveland and No. 11 Rolesville won their respective games and will meet in Round 2. No. 3 Wake Forest will face No. 14 Leesville Road, and No. 8 Holly Springs will face No. 9 Pine Forest.

In the biggest numerical upset of Round 1 in the East bracket, No. 23 Jordan edged No. 10 Jack Britt, 23-20.

This story was originally published November 5, 2022 at 12:35 AM.