Panthers take state leaders to the wire

Lingle-Fort Laramie high school brought an undefeated football team to face off with the Saratoga Panthers last Friday night. If they had any ideas of a walk through against the 2-5 Panthers they would soon learn, like every other opponent Saratoga has faced this season, that the team plays with purpose between the lines.

The Panthers used their solid power running game to drive the opening possession down the field after the opening kickoff. Throwing only one pass on that drive they controlled the line of scrimmage. Backfield star Snowdon Williams hit the edge for a two-yard touchdown run and the Panthers gained an early 6-0 lead.

The Panthers then shocked the visiting Doggers with an onside kick, recovered successfully, and the home team was back on the attack. Unfortunately a Panther fumble stopped the drive. Although the Doggers moved the ball to the five, a fumble of their own stopped them short of a tying score.

L-FL boasts the leagues leading rushing attack and they were able to put together a solid scoring drive behind some effective runs. Their PAT kick was good and they took a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Both teams moved the ball but did not add an additional score during the 2nd quarter. Lingle-Fort Laramie did threaten the goal line toward the end of the half but an interception by Burris Berger ended that effort.

The Doggers opened the 2nd half with a long drive that resulted in their second score and went up 14-6. The Panthers responded, moving the ball through the Doggers defense and capped the drive off with a touchdown by standout, multi-dimensional, player Hazen Williams. The score stood at 14-12.

The Doggers again mounted a rugged ground attack and quickly moved out to a 21-12 lead. But the Panthers showed their own toughness replying with a scoring drive and this time went to the air for a 23 TD pass from Jace Westring to Snowdon Williams. This time the two-point conversion was successful and the score had narrowed to a single point, 21-20.

Now, at the 1:10 mark in the 4th quarter the Panthers achieved a second onside kick recovery. They pulled out all stops, even showing a rare center eligible pass to Douglass Campbell for a 16 yard gain. They were able to take several shots to the end zone but had to turn the ball over on downs, and L-Fl was able to run the clock out.

Coach Weber commented on the game and the season, “I am very proud of how our guys competed Friday night against LFL. They really had nothing to play for other than pride and they played their tails off. Overall we were proud of the growth of the team and how they kept getting better each week during the season. It’s a great bunch of young men.”.

Accomplishment above the record

The 2023 Saratoga High School Panthers football team is more than their record. The team was undermanned, only suiting up 14 players. They played hard in every game. They played an old school style of physical football on both sides of the ball, and featured a power running game, complemented by solid defense. They never quit, never backed off, and always showed great character throughout each and every game. The Panthers were a credit to the school and community. The team and coaches can be proud of their efforts throughout the season. Culminated by this outstanding effort against the top team in the conference.

By Gary Honodel/Sun Staff & Jason Campbell/Sun Sports Corespondent