Davenport and Life battled to a very tight Mid-South opener over the weekend, and while Life won, it was not a sure thing.

Tries from Karch Hoffman and Orrin Bizer staked Life to a 17-7 lead in the first half (Bradley Crane added a penalty and converted both tries). Davenport's try was a brilliantly executed punishment of a turnover.

Life was up 3-0 and threatening when a loose pass just sort of rolled along the backline. Davenport wing Enrico Carmona Fiorentini raced in and booted the ball downfield. The ball died at the 22 but he nudged it forward with his foot and outpaced the cover defense to fall on it and score. Fullback Matthew DeVilliers converted.

In the second half, Davenport's defense was excellent and they shut out life. DeVilliers added three penalties, including one with five minutes to go that was about 46 meters out. But Life was able to retain the restart and run out the clock to win 17-16. The ending wasn't without some discussion, however, as a kick into the Life 22 appeared to have been knocked on, but play was allowed to continue. If it was a knock-on, it was a small one, but it still was a pivotal moment.

"It was a tough one," said Davenport Head Coach Dustin Steedman. "I believe we put in enough work to deserve the win, particularly if you watch the last five minutes. That being said, I am proud of my boys. They played hard and controlled the possession by stacking several tough phases in the second half."

For Davenport to get this close to Life something has to have changed. The Panthers have always played hard in the Mid-South but it's been difficult to close the gap.

"If you ask me what is different, I'd say our confidence that we can possess the ball and don't have to force our opportunities is growing every day," said Steedman. "That's not even really giving credit to our defensive growth. Holding a team like Life University to under 20 points is not a bad stat line. Especially when you consider one score coming from a chargedown. We are growing after each and every competition and this team is committed to growth and competing at every level of the challenge before us."