PORTAL – With Portal driving for the potential tying score late in the third quarter, an untimely interception thwarted the Panthers’ upset bid of the defending state champion Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs Friday night as Portal ultimately fell 42-21. Trailing 21-14 with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Portal (0-3-1) faced a third and nine on its own 39. Panthers’ Head Coach David NeSmith went to his bag of tricks and pulled out a halfback pass, which worked to perfection as Malik Williams was able to find a wide open Harrison Sherrod for a 36-yard gain to the Bulldog 23.