The Jaguars of New Manchester lost a hard fought game to visiting South Paulding Friday night, 24-13.

South Paulding took an early 3-0 lead with a field goal in the first quarter.

New Manchester rebounded quickly, driving 70-yards on the next possession for a score. Ryan Santos took the ball in from 4-yards out for six points. The point after was good for a 7-3 Jags lead.

The score remained 7-3 heading into the final quarter of play.

On the opening drive of the fourth quarter, South Paulding pushed in a score to take their first lead since the first minutes of the game. They went up 10-7 with the kick.

South Paulding added on several more times in the fourth, going up 17-7 and then 24-7 with less than two minutes to play.

New Manchester then put in rookie quarterback Tabashi Thomas, who drove the Jags 60 yards down field, and capped off the drive with a scrambling touchdown with 30 seconds to go. New Manchester went for two but failed and the game ended with South Paulding up 24-13.

“This was another hard fought region game,” said NMHC Rob Cleveland. “We were a little undermanned late and that all goes back to the weight room.”

Malik Thomas led had a solid stat night with 71 yards on 12 carries.

The Jags are now 2-6 overall and in the region. They will be off next week but will play Oct. 26 when they host Villa Rica.