1 year ago

Photos by Whitney Jones

By Ann Metcalf

Panhandle’s Varsity Panthers opened their season in Clarendon, playing the Clarendon Broncos. The Panthers got the 2023 season off to a good start with a 32-12 win over the Broncos.

Panhandle Head Coach Dane Ashley said, “It was good to get that first win on Friday night. We have a very young team that doesn’t have a ton of experience, and I think that we are going to get better every time we play. I was pleased with the effort and thought the kids played very hard in tough conditions. We have a lot of things to work on, but I believe we have a solid foundation to start with.”

Panhandle won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff. On fourth and 1, from the Clarendon 42, Clarendon picked off a Panther pass. The Panther defense, led by Luke Leisher stopped Clarendon on the Panhandle 41-yard line. On fourth and 1, Clarendon punted the ball into the endzone, and Panhandle had a first and 10 on their own 20. On fourth and 4, Brayson Choate got off a 31-yard punt and Clarendon had first and 10 on their 42. Three plays later a Bronco fumble was recovered by Dusty Medina for a Panhandle first and 10 on their own 44. On fourth and 4 with 3:06 on the clock, Quarterback Broxton Robinson went in for the touchdown, then ran in the PAT to give Panhandle an 8-0 lead. The quarter ended with Panhandle up 8-0.

On the second play of the second quarter, Clarendon scored on a 75-yard run with 11:41 on the clock. A pass for 2 was incomplete. The score was Panhandle 8 – Clarendon 6.

With 10:38 on the clock, Rush Walterscheid scored on an 11-yard run. A run for 2 failed, and Panhandle increased their lead to 14-6.

With 7:38 left until halftime, Choate scored on a 10-yard run. The PAT attempt failed, but Panhandle upped their lead to 20-5.

Six plays later, Medina got another fumble recovery and the Panthers had first and 10 on their 38. Seven plays later, Choate scored on an 18-yard run. A run for 2 failed, but Panhandle led 26-6. With 47 ticks on the clock, Hank Heck scored on an 82-yard pass play. No PAT was scored, but the halftime score was Panhandle 32 – Clarendon 6.

Panhandle did not score in the second half as some of the players were getting their first taste of varsity ball and gaining some much-needed experience. With 9:24 on the fourth quarter clock, Clarendon scored on a 25-yard pass play to make the final score Panthers 32 – Clarendon 12.

Robinson was named Offensive Skill Player of the game as he completed five of nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 20 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Choate carried the ball 12 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Walterscheid had one reception for 16 yards and seven carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. Dylan Pohlmeier had two carries for 6 yards, and Heck had one reception for an 81-yard touchdown, and Caiden Crook had three receptions for 14 yards.

Gavan Brookshire was Offensive Lineman of the game with a grade of 94. Jack Sinclair graded out at 89, Zach Stephens 85, Daxton Dallas 84 and Dusty Medina and Mike Theis 78 each.

Luke Leisher was Defensive Lineman of the Game and Hank Heck Defensive Skill Player. Leisher recorded three sacks, a quarterback press, two tackles for loss, one tackle, two assists and caused a fumble. Heck had seven tackles and two assists. Choate also had a strong defensive game with five tackles, an assist, a sack and two quarterback presses. Dallas Pennington had four tackles and four assists, Robinson had five tackles and a quarterback press, and Crook had two tackles, two assists and a clamp. Landon Durst had three tackles, an assist and an interception. Dusty Medina had three assists, two turnovers, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback press. Wyatt Stamps had three tackles, two assists, Julian George had two tackles, an assist and Wyatt Rocha had two tackles.

Tristin Leathers was named the Junior Varsity Player of the Week.

The Panthers will be at home tomorrow night, Sept. 1, when they host the Friona Chieftains at 7 p.m.