Photos courtesy Jessie Otten
The goal line defense of the Panther Frosh-Soph football team got a workout on Monday night as they successfully held Bureau Valley out of the end zone multiple times to come away with a 16-14 win in Prophetstown.
The Panthers struck quickly in the game with quarterback Jack Minssen tossing a 5 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Ballard at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter. Minssen ran in the conversion to put EP up 8-0.
EP added to its lead with just seconds to go in the quarter when Minssen hit Jase Grunder on a 60 yard pass play. Grunder also ran in the two-point conversion to give the Panthers a 16-0 lead.
The Storm responded with a drive that was capped by a 15 yard pass into the end zone that was tipped by Tyler Ballard before landing in the hands of the Bureau Valley receiver. BV added the two-point conversion to make it a 16-8 Panther lead at the half.
With 3:37 left to go in the third quarter Ballard once again electrified the crowd with an 80 yard touchdown run breaking free of several tacklers in route to the end zone. Unfortunately, the touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty.
On a 4th and 15 play Minssen was sacked and fumbled the ball with the Storm recovering and returning the ball to the EP 6 yard line. After holding strong again, the Panther defense finally allowed the Storm into the end zone on a third and goal play but the score was wiped out by a holding call. BV then moved the ball to the 1 yard line on the following play as the third quarter came to an end.
Bureau Valley’s quarterback Isaac Attig took the 4th and goal snap from the one and went to his right and inexplicably slid down before crossing the goal line, which turned the ball over to the Panthers.
Unfortunately, EP fumbled on their first snap from their own 1, which was recovered by the Storm. The EP defense once again rose to the occasion stopping BV on three consecutive plays before the Storm, on another 4th and goal opportunity, fumbled on a reverse play giving the ball back to the Panthers.
After the Panthers turned the ball over on downs, the Storm finally got into the end zone on yet another 4th and goal play from the 1 yard to make it 16-14 with 1:07 to go.
After a pair of time outs, Bureau Valley’s two-point conversion failed when Attig and running back Cameron Lemons collided in the backfield and were immediately brought down by the Panther’s Nate Packer.
The Panthers ran out the remaining 67 seconds to secure their second win of the season.
They will take finish their season next Monday in Morrison.
