Photo Credit: @sh0tbycody
Decatur, Georgia – Southwest DeKalb may have come up short on the scoreboard Thursday night, falling 21-6 to defending state champion Creekside, but the Panthers left Godfrey Stadium with plenty to feel confident about after an impressive showing to close out spring football. Facing one of the best programs in the state is never an easy task, especially against a Creekside team fresh off an undefeated championship season. Still, Southwest DeKalb proved they belong in the conversation as a serious contender heading into the 2026 season.
One of the biggest storylines entering the scrimmage was the play of Panthers quarterback Braylon Carter. Going against an elite defense loaded with speed and talent, Carter showed flashes of why many believe he could be in for a breakout senior campaign. From the opening drive, Southwest DeKalb showed they were not intimidated by the moment. Offensive coordinator came out aggressive, dialing up deep shots early, and Carter responded. The Panthers quarterback connected with Kingston Lobdell on a deep pass in the first quarter that immediately set the tone for the night. The play energized the sidelines and showed that Southwest DeKalb was ready to challenge Creekside vertically. Throughout the game, Carter displayed confidence in the pocket and made several solid throws while leading multiple promising drives.
What made the performance even more encouraging was the fact that quarterbacks were not live during the scrimmage format. In a regular-season setting, some of those drives could have turned into even bigger plays or extended possessions. Despite that limitation, the Panthers offense consistently showed signs of explosiveness and execution against one of Georgia’s top defenses.
In fact, Southwest DeKalb’s opening success caught the attention of Creekside’s coaching staff immediately. After the Panthers’ first drive, Creekside’s defensive coordinator reportedly made the entire defense do up-downs out of frustration with how they started the game, a sign of the respect Southwest DeKalb earned early on. Defensively, the Panthers also proved they have the ability to make game-changing plays. Southwest DeKalb forced three turnovers against an offense that rarely made mistakes during its championship run last season. Defensive standout Myson Perry was at the center of the action, delivering two of the game’s biggest moments. Perry forced a fumble and later came away with an interception, helping swing momentum and keeping the Panthers competitive throughout the contest.
After the game, Creekside offensive coordinator Coach Francis did not hide his frustration with the turnovers. “We only had eight turnovers all season last year,” he said while discussing the Panthers’ defensive effort against his offense. Even while frustrated, Francis made it clear he still believes Creekside’s future remains bright, adding that “Creekside will be very good for years to come.”
For Southwest DeKalb, however, the scrimmage may have answered even more questions than expected. The Panthers showed toughness, explosiveness, and the ability to compete against championship level competition. From Braylon Carter’s flashes at quarterback to the defense creating takeaways against an elite offense, the foundation appears to be in place for a strong 2026 season. If Thursday night was any indication, Southwest DeKalb looks like a team capable of making serious noise this fall, and possibly putting together a deep playoff run.
