Last week, the Portal Panthers lived up to the old cliche of a team doing some of its most improvement from its first game to its second.

Following a disappointing and lopsided loss to a heavyweight power in Wheeler County, the Panthers fended off a slow start against Bryan County, taking a late lead and sealing the first win of the season with a scoop-and-score in the final minutes.

“I liked what I saw from our team last week,” Portal coach Jason McEachin said. “We didn’t feel great about (losing to Wheeler County), but our demeanor was excellent all week in practice as we worked to get better.”

The winning switch didn’t flip immediately.

Portal had three different ball carriers fumble away possession on its first three drives, but a stout effort by the Panther defense kept the score in check while the team regrouped.

“We had mistakes, but we tried to get through it with encouragement,” McEachin said. “Our defense didn’t allow points off the turnovers and we told our offensive guys to focus and stay positive, because the ball was coming back to them and we needed them to help get points on the board.”

Coaching players up between possessions is normal for many teams, but a privilege for the Panthers this season. Portal is one of the smaller schools to field a football team in all of Georgia, but have nearly 50 players on the roster and are starting 22 different players.

There is still plenty of double-duty (even more if you count special teams) for the most seasoned veterans on the squad, but a few breaks here and there are welcome.

Even more important is the culture that is growing along with the roster size.

Now in his sixth season at the helm, McEachin has all of his players on the same page.

“We have guys getting playing time instead of learning from the sidelines,” McEachin said. “Everyone is a part of this. Every player knows what this program expects of them in the weight room, at practice, and in games.

“Our seniors now were freshmen for our region championship team and they know how to respond and help with everyone else on the team. When you get tested for four quarters like we did last week, you see that sort of experience, leadership and commitment from the whole team come through.”

This week brings another tough test and another familiar foe.

Portal hits the road for the first time this season and will take on Jenkins County (0-2) which has stumbled against a tough early schedule, but has also gotten the better of Portal the last couple of seasons.

While no longer a region game, it will still serve as a barometer for where Portal can expect the 2026 season to go.

"It's another classic Charley Waters-coached team," McEachin said. "We know they have speed and are well coached. We know they will probably get some big plays. But it's about how we respond and how we execute on what we know we can do."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Millen.