Panthers Compete Hard in the Home Opener

On a beautiful early Autumn evening - perfect for football - at the Saratoga High School Stadium, the Panthers opened their season against Moorcroft High School.

The Panthers kicked off and after forcing a punt by the Wolves took over on offense at their own 35. Then, on the very first offensive play of the 2023 season, sophomore quarterback Burris Berger hit Snowdon Williams with a nice pass and the freshman running back took it to the end zone for a 65 year touchdown. Saratoga punched in the two point conversion and claimed a fast 8-0 lead.

Moorcroft was able to put together a solid drive and scored an answering TD. Their attempt at kicking the PAT was about a yard short of clearing the crossbar and the quarter ended 8-6.

Through most of the 2nd quarter neither team could mount much offensive momentum. They churned out some yardage but the defensives didn’t allow any plays of real significance. Late in the quarter a mishit punt gave Moorcroft their best field position of the period. They were able to gain some traction on the ground and with only a few seconds left before halftime, got to the boundary and found the end zone at the left pylon. The Wolves kicker made solid contact on this kick and cleared the upright to give Moorcroft a 13-8 halftime advantage.

The second half continued like the 2nd quarter - something of a defensive struggle with neither team able to create any explosive plays. Both teams moved the ball between the 30s, but Saratoga and Moorcroft would then bow up and shut down the other team’s offense, turning them over on downs.

With time running down, deep in their own territory, it looked like disaster had hit the Panthers. A Moorcroft defender broke through and blocked the punt. But, Panther Snowdon Williams scooped the ball up, got around the right edge and advanced the ball to the 40. With about three minutes left in the game the Panthers used that momentum surge to move the ball toward what might have been the deciding score. Once again though the Wolves found their defense and put the Panthers in a 4th & 3 situation. A swing pass to the left sideline was a clean completion but the Moorcroft defender was in the right position and made a solid open field tackle to end the drive, and the game. Moorcroft was able to run out the clock, and conclude a second half with no scoring. The halftime score of 13-8 held up as the game’s final.

Saratoga High School has a small roster of only 14 players. Despite not being able to conduct full scrimmages to sharpen the offensive and defensive game plans, or work on special teams, the Panthers executed in all three phases of the game. A squad that size also faces the challenge of players being out on the grass for the entire game. Coach Weber, and his staff, finished the game proud of the effort from all of the players. Coach Weber said, “Every player did everything we asked, no one asked to come out at anytime and they gave a full effort from kickoff to final whistle.” In addition to the big TD play, Hazen Williams was the defensive player of note. The sophomore DE accrued 22 points in the standard game grading system that accounts for tackles, tackles for loss, and other game statistics. It is noteworthy that in addition to not having a full roster, this is a young team also. Doug Campbell is the only senior.

Moorcroft junior running back, Braydnn Terry, helped the Wolves effort. Although he has average size and does not own breakaway speed, his field vision allowed Terry to find the seams and gain yardage. He was quick enough to earn the boundary and score, what turned out to be, the deciding touchdown for the Wolves. Even without any big gainers in the 2nd half he churned out enough yards to help move the chains and burn clock. In a game decided by such a thin margin his solid running did help carry Moorcroft on this day.

The Panthers will take the field this Friday evening at 6:00p in Lusk playing Niobrara County. The Tigers lost their last outing, but in a high scoring shoot out. For that reason Coach Weber expects this game to look very different, likely played in a completely different style of football.