The NRHEG football team wasn’t intimidated by playing on the road against a larger school in its season opener.

The Panthers beat Sibley East 32-12 on Friday. NRHEG is in Class AA, and Sibley East is Class AAA.

“We are very pleased with the team’s effort tonight,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork. “Sibley East plays a very physical brand of football and has a great deal of size on their lines, and we handled it well.”

NRHEG quarterback Trevor Tracy completed five of eight passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. All passes were completed to Spencer Tollefson.

“Trevor Tracy was on fire, and Spencer Tollefson did a great job of getting open downfield.” Stork said.

Nick Barness led NRHEG’s backfield with six carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. Trey Hoppe posted a team-high 10 tackles.

Stork said the Panthers scored on their opening possession on a 16-play drive that covered 61 yards. NRHEG punched the ball into the end zone on a pass from Tracy to Tollefson on fourth-and-three from the 11-yard line. The Panthers never looked back and led by as many as 26 points.

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: Aug.29 post.