The Panthers lost a crucial regionn game at home last Friday against Northgate, 27-10.
The Vikings brought a heavy rushing attack that accounted for 334 of their 380 total offensive yards, the most the Panthers have allowed all season. Running back Ben Washington accumulated triple-digit stats rushing for 203 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for more than half of Northgate’s offense.
Although each team committed three turnovers, the Vikings had the ball nine minutes longer than the Panthers and ran 21 more offensive plays, a statistic head coach Chad Phillips feels was a big problem.
“We turned it over twice on their 20 yard line,” Phillips said. “That’ll kill you against a good team.”
The Panthers played angry on defense limiting Northgate to 3-of-9 third-down attempts. Even though they gave up 380 total yards, defensive coordinator Dennis Bogumill said he feels his boys played their hearts out and were relentless on the field.
“They have nothing to be ashamed of,” Bogumill said, “the D-line especially. They always did what they were asked to do.”
Junior quarterback Kyle Moseley had a breakthrough night, passing for 157 yards, a career high. “He’s making great reads and has been throwing the ball on the money,” Phillips said.
The biggest play of the season for the Panthers came on a 76-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Timothy Roberts with 5:22 left in the third quarter, making the score 20-10.
“I knew the offense had to get going,” Roberts said. “When they called my name in the huddle, I knew I had to make a play.”
Aside from Roberts’ big play, the Panther offense struggled to get anything going. The Panthers converted only 1-of-9 third-down attempts.
Freshman running back Dion Munerlyn didn’t play because of a concussion sustained in the McIntosh game, but he will return for the Whitewater game on Friday. Without their leading rusher, the Panthers were held to 38 yards on 26 carries. Junior running backs Gerren Smith and Mitchell Ray have been taking the rushing load for the Panthers.
The only consistent scoring for the Panthers has come from the kicking game. Senior kicker Daniel Rorick, who has scored in every game but the McIntosh game, hit a 33-yard field goal 4:53 seconds into the game to give the Panthers their only lead. Senior punter Grant Aasen also keeps improving. He’s averaging 35.2 yards per punt.
“They really have been the strong suit of the team” Phillips said.
The Panthers have been preparing all week for the annual grudge match against Whitewater in their final region game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at home.
“They’re the best team in the region,” Phillips said. “We’re just going to have to play good solid defense.”