Panthers claw into Vikings

Guernsey-Sunrise (Guernsey) High School football team got mauled by the Saratoga Panthers 59-0 with 46 points scored in the first half.

The weather was windy and spitting rain, which could have been a sign to the Vikings that they were going to have a tough time in Panther land.

The Panthers kicked into the strong wind where the Vikings took it and got up the field in a few plays. Then with 8:45 left in the first quarter, Justin Shotwell recovered a fumble. The Panthers took advantage and, moments later, Teegan Love scored a rushing touchdown with 5:35 left in the first quarter. Shotwell went in for the extra point and the Panthers were in the lead 7-0.

The Vikings got the ball back and tried to throw down the field only to be intercepted by Logan Seahorn. Less than a minute elapsed before Love carried the ball in for another score.

The Vikings fumbled the ball again on their next possession and found themselves backed up on their own five yard line. Guernsey had to kick it away to where the Panthers took over at the Vikings 25 yard line.

Noah Rimmer, who was having an excellent day on defense, caught the ball and scored the next touchdown for the Panthers with a little over two minutes left in the first quarter.

"We were doing most everything right, defensively and offensively," Panther head football coach Logan Wright said. "These are games you are glad to have in the season."

The weather started to get wet and it was apparent the Vikings were having trouble handling the ball. Not so for the Panthers.

Gavin Bartlett ran for another touchdown for Saratoga as the second quarter was about to start. The score was 20-0. Shotwell scored another touchdown minutes later, and the score 27-0.

Shotwell was not only scoring, but also playing excellent defense as he brought down ball carriers.

"Justin might not be the biggest guy on the field, but when you have a player that is a state champion wrestler, they understand how to take down an opponent," Wright said. "Justin proves this. He doesn't hesitate and just flies out the gate."

Rimmer received the ball to run in for a long touchdown.

A penalty nullified the score and put the ball back five yards. This did not deter the Panthers because in the next series of plays, Seahorn went in for a score making it 33-0 with 8:25 left in the quarter.

Shotwell scored again for a touchdown and Seahorn got the extra point making the score 40-0.

Seahorn got an interception and freshman Heston Fisher scored minutes later making the score before the half 46-0. The score also sent the game into "mercy time." In the second half the clock would not be turned off.

In the second half, Wright gave all his players an opportunity to play.

"I had three quarterbacks and six running backs all get game time," Wright said. "I was really proud of my third string in the second half when they stopped the Vikings from scoring when they got down to the one yard line."

He said this game was great to have under their belt as they lost a heartbreaker last week (See "Running with the " on page 8 of the Oct. 2 Saratoga Sun) and facing HEM in the week to come. The Miners are currently undefeated and top of their conference.

"We are going to prepare as usual," Wright said of his next game. "They are a really good team, but I want us to give it our best and not let nerves get in the way."

The Panthers face the Miners at 12 p.m. on Saturday in Hanna.