EP dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half as they got out to a 22-0 lead. The Panther defense was outstanding as they did not allow a first down in the half.
The first Panther score came on a 23-yard run by sophomore, Noah Berk. EP added on to the lead on their second possession as Matthew Ballard took an inside pitch from quarterback Justin Pierceson and got to the pylon around right end from 12 yards out to make it a 14-0.
After another fourth down stop by EP, the offense drove 65 yards, which included a 20-yard scramble by Pierceson. Berk ran it in from 24-yards out on a fourth down play for the Panthers to go to the half up 22-0.
EP continued their dominance in the second half scoring on a 11 yard run by Ballard to make it 28-0 with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.
EP’s Owen White forced a fumble on the Titans first offensive play in the second half and set up a four-yard score by Anden Kochevar. The PAT made it 36-0 with 3:44 left in the third.
The defense partially blocked a punt in the end zone and the Panthers took over on the Titan 1 yard line. Kochevar once again did the honors to push the lead to 43-0 with 1:26 left in the quarter and start a running clock.
The Panther defense finally allowed a first down near the start of the fourth quarter. EP tacked on a score on a 49-yard scamper by Kochevar to make the final 49-0.
The scoring barrage was led by Noah Berk with 3 rushing touchdowns, followed closely by both Matthew Ballard and Anden Kochevar with 2 each.
“I was most impressed with our freshmen,” said head coach Kyle Foster. “We have asked a lot out of them early in the season and they have stepped up in a big way. We have several freshmen starters, and even more rotating in for quality time. We are blessed with the biggest roster I have had in my 10 years with the program, so being able to find time for everyone tonight is a big momentum builder for the program. I’m proud of how these guys stepped up tonight, but I reminded them that it’s only week 1 and there is a lot of work to do still.”
EP will host Mendota next Monday at 5:30 in Prophetstown.
