After a first half when it had few defensive answers for Parkway's high-powered offense, East Ascension turned the tables in the second half as it rallied for a 48-32 win at Spartan Stadium.

East Ascension took control with two third-quarter touchdowns as it rallied from a 25-21 halftime deficit.

"Our kids deal with adversity so well. You can't break them," EA coach Brock Matherne said. "All three phases made some (halftime) adjustments, but I really trust my coaching staff. I know they're going to put us in the right position to win."

East Ascension (7-1) did most of its offensive work on the ground, finishing with 342 yards rushing. Caiden Simon carried 20 times for 129 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Zaylen Smith ran 14 times for 91 yards and a score.

Jeremyah Merriweather turned in the most efficient effort of the game. He rushed three times, scoring on each carry with runs of 14, 17 and 54 yards. He also caught two passes for 52 yards, including a 29-yard TD in the third quarter.

East Ascension's rally got started with Zion Delong's interception of Parkway's Bryston McCoy on the first series of the third quarter. The turnover put EA in business at the Parkway 29, and Smith capped the short drive with a 13-yard scoring run.

After forcing a punt, the Spartans took over at midfield. The key play in the series was Smith's 29-yard strike to Merriweather on fourth-and-4 at the Parkway 29. Before the quarter ended, East Ascension's defense stopped Parkway on downs inside the EA 25.

In the fourth quarter, the Spartans sandwiched two Merriweather rushing touchdowns around a scoring run from Parkway's Damian Dacaldacal.

Dacaldacal led Parkway (4-4) with 158 yards rushing. McCoy was dangerous through the air all night, finishing 26-of-44 passing for 351 yards and a touchdown.

"The idea for us was to come down here and get a playoff atmosphere late in the season," Parkway coach Coy Brotherton said. "These are two football teams that made playoff runs last year. I know that's what (East Ascension) is trying to do with a senior-heavy team, and it's what we're trying to get back to this year."

East Ascension controlled the action early in the first half. The Spartans took the opening kickoff and went 63 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead. Simon's 16-yard run provided the score.

Spartans defensive back Daylan Bouvay intercepted McCoy on the ensuing Panthers series, and his 35-yard return gave EA possession at the Parkway 37. Instead of moving in for another score, Smith lost a fumble inside the 20, and Parkway's offense came to life.

The turnover was the first of three in the half for East Ascension.

Using the arm of McCoy and the legs of Dacaldacal, Parkway drove 83 yards to pull within 7-6 of East Ascension. It started a back-and-forth half that ended on a high note for Parkway. The Panthers used three second-quarter touchdowns to edge ahead 25-19 at the half.