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Lakeside linebacker Alan Marionneaux said the Panthers knew entering their second-round playoff game that their defense would again need a big game.
But Panthers defenders were helpless to stop the two biggest scores in Westside-Macon's 48-21 victory Friday at Panthers Stadium.
The Seminoles defense scored twice in the game's first six minutes -- on a fumble recovered in the end zone and a 34-yard interception return.
"Coming down 14 points, we just knew we were going to have to get turnovers," Marionneaux said. "It kind of makes it a little more frustrating."
Lakeside was eliminated from the Class AAAA playoffs after winning the most games in school history and earning its first playoff victory.
The Panthers (10-1), the top seed in Region 3-AAAA, rebounded from the early setback to score on a trick play, a 63-yard touchdown toss from senior Justin Pitock to Ricky McMurtrey. But each time Lakeside seemed to grab momentum, the Seminoles (11-1) answered.
Lakeside entered the half down 28-14, and Panthers coaches did their best to fire up their players during the break. But Westside returned the opening kickoff to the Panthers 20 and scored on the next play.
"We'd do something good and all of the sudden they'd take the wind out of our sails," Lakeside coach Jody Grooms said.
Lakeside was without sophomore Mark Weidenaar, who was found early in the week to have a cracked vertebrae. But the Panthers moved the ball without their leader in all-purpose yards.
A familiar trick play awoke Lakeside fans after Westside's defense gave the Seminoles the early cushion.
Pitock took a pitch from his slot position, broke a tackle in the backfield and slung a pass to McMurtrey, who split two defenders for a 63-yard touchdown.
The score cut Westside's lead to a touchdown. McMurtrey scored again on a 37-yard touchdown run with five minutes left in the first half.
Two scoring opportunities went awry for Lakeside in the second quarter. A missed 23-yard field goal and a turnover on downs each came after Lakeside had driven inside the Seminoles 10.
Lakeside's defense, which had produced four consecutive shutouts and seven on the season, fell victim to Westside's rushing attack. The Seminoles rushed for more than 300 yards.
Westside's Robert Brown rushed for more than 200 yards to move closer to 2,000 for the season.
But it was the Seminoles' defense that came up with the biggest plays.
"We look for our defense to give us a spark every game," Seminoles coach Sheddrick Risper said.
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