by NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio – The Panther fans definitely have something to go home happy about as Manchester took down the Northwest Indians to advance to the first round of the playoffs. The Panthers end their regular season with a solid 7-3 record, and the Indians’ season comes to a close at 6-4. Despite a slow start for both teams, the Panthers generated some momentum midway through the first quarter of play. The Indians still made the playoffs.
The Panthers’ first touchdown came right after a 27-yard first-down rush by star running back Phil Partin. After achieving a first down, the Panthers gave the ball right back to Partin, who barreled through the Indians’ defense for a 50-yard touchdown. The Panthers failed to convert on the extra point attempt, making the score 6-0 in favor of Manchester.
The Indians attempted to counter with a strong drive, earning three first downs. However, it wasn’t enough, and they turned the ball over to the Panthers. Partin then broke loose and scored his second touchdown of the contest, a 69-yard carry. The Panthers made up for the missed extra point kick by attempting and successfully executing the two-point conversion. Tyler Pappas found sophomore receiver Noah Lance in the end zone and threw the pass right into his hands.
Although the game remained scoreless for the rest of the first half, it was nothing but entertainment as tempers flared and both teams became heated throughout the second quarter.
Capping off the first half of the contest, Jake Livingston intercepted Brayden Venables’ pass and took off down the field for a pick-six, unfortunately not making it all the way as the time ran out and he was taken down by the Indians’ defense.
The third quarter was fairly uneventful. The action would soon resume at the start of the fourth quarter as Northwest’s quarterback Brayden Venables successfully found senior receiver Ty Lipkins in the endzone for a 22-yard touchdown.
The final touchdown of the night came at the 3:02 mark as Northwest turned the ball over on downs and Manchester gained possession. Unsportsmanlike conduct was then called on the Indians, giving the Panthers a 10-yard boost down the field. Partin found a hole in Northwest’s defense and turned on the jets, taking the ball 65 yards down the field for his third touchdown of the night, and the game ended 21-7 in favor of Manchester.
The player of the game for the Northwest Indians was their star running back, Joey Medure, who successfully carried the ball for 126 yards tonight.
The Indians’ quarterback Brayden Venables connected on 11 of his 26 passes for a grand total of 92 yards.
For the Panthers, their player of the game was none other than their star junior running back, Phil Partin, who had an outstanding game, accumulating 289 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Manchester Panthers capped off a great season tonight and punched their way to the first round of the playoffs, beginning next Friday.
