Friday night’s football game between the Switzerland County Pacers and the Carroll County Panthers was delayed by nearly two hours due to severe weather — and once the game started, a big first quarter put the game away early, as the Pacers were defeated by the Panthers by a final score of 47-7.
“We ran into a buzz saw on Friday,” Pacer head coach Ryan Jesop said. “Coach Cantwell (Carroll County coach Hunter Cantwell) has his players executing very effectively on offense and defense. A few blown assignments and poor tackling on our end led to big runs in the rain by their offense, who used our aggressiveness to their advantage.”
The Panthers jumped out early, amassing their points in the opening quarter.
Switzerland County also got its lone touchdown in the first period, as quarterback Damian Courter connected with wide receiver Cade Rider for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
But in the rain and muck, there wasn’t much offense from that point on.
Courter finished 2-for-15 passing for 41 yards, but his touchdown pass was negated by three interceptions in the wet weather.
Bryce Turner also had a reception covering 22 yard for the longest pass completion of the night.
On the ground, sophomore Hunter Records had a good night, rushing five times for 45 total yards, including a 27 yard pickup. Logan Skaggs had 12 yards on four rushing attempts; Domic Klem had three rushing attempts for seven yards; and Conner Bowline had an attempt on the ground, gaining three yards.
Defensively, Rider led the way with four tackles total; while Zach Howlett finished with three tackles and two assists. Zach Weaver also had three tackles and two assists; Harrison Griffis had two tackles and three assists; Eddie McCarty had two tackles and one tackle assist; and Dez Lange had two tackles and an assist.
Records and Nick Gatto each had a tackle in the game; while Bowling and Dakota Wallace each had an assist; and Dathan Brown recorded two assisted tackles.
Carroll County did its damage on the ground, as the Panthers rushed 29 times for 212 yards and six touchdowns.
“We look to bounce back at Edinburgh as we begin conference play this Friday night,” Coach Jesop said.