FAYETTE – The Spring Garden Panthers were looking to add to an already record-season Friday by clinching their first third-round state playoff appearance.

The Hubbertville Lions were seeking the same.

Behind a 192-yard, four-touchdown performance from senior quarterback Aaron Dillard, the Lions built a 28-point halftime lead and cruised to a 42-18 victory over the visiting Panthers.

Hubbertville (9-3) advances to meet Marion County (12-1) next Friday in the Class 1A state quarterfinals. Spring Garden’s season ends at 9-3.

Dillard got the Lions going with 5:41 to go in the first quarter on a 45-yard touchdown run. The extra point made it 7-0.

Senior running back Corey Stewart added to the Lion lead early in the second quarter on a 7-yard scoring run, putting Hubbertville on top 14-0.

Dillard scored his second touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run at the 5:05 mark of the second quarter, giving the Lions a 21-0 advantage.

The Lions scored just before halftime on eighth grade running back Joseph Rutledge’s 25-yard touchdown run, putting Hubbertville in front 28-0.

Spring Garden finally got on the scoreboard with 6:24 left in the third quarter on junior quarterback Will Ivey’s 7-yard touchdown toss to senior receiver Will Penton. The Panthers missed the extra point, keeping the score at 28-6.

Hubbertville tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter, both on runs by Dillard (50 and 40 yards). The scores pushed the Lions out in front 42-6.

The Panthers scored the game’s final two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Forrest Livingston, who finished with 112 yards on 30 carries, ran in from a yard with 4:26 remaining in the game. Spring Garden was unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion.

Ivey connected with Penton on a 25-yard scoring connection with 19 seconds to go. The Panthers missed the extra point for the final.

Ivey completed 6 of 10 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Penton caught three passes for 40 yards and a score.

Ivey also led the Panther defense with five tackles. Craig Jones, Hunter Bondie and Dylan Watson each had four tackles.