It was the longest road trip and the biggest game of the season for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers.

Tuesday, October 12, 1999

It was the longest road trip and the biggest game of the season for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers.

They enjoyed the ride home.

The Panthers, rated No. 3 in Class 2A in last week’s Associated Press football poll, traveled Olivia to face No. 5 ranked BOLD Friday night and came home with an 8-6 victory.

It was a huge win for the Panthers against a perennial state power, comprised of the communities of Bird Island, Olivia, Lake Lillian and Delavan.

&uot;This was a big game for us,&uot; said NRHEG coach John Schultz, whose team improved to 6-0. &uot;BOLD was the state runner-up last year and returned a large number of players. Our guys were not intimidated by BOLD’s tradition. There were no letdowns. I’m very proud of their efforts.&uot;

The Panthers’ only points came in the first quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tony Schlaak to Nathan Schlaak, who set up the score with an interception. Tony Schlaak passed to Cody Yard for the conversion.

BOLD scored in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard run. The Panthers stopped a try to tie it with a two-point conversion.

The Panthers were outgained for the first time this season, totaling 190 yards to BOLD’s 257.

Nathan Wayne led the Panthers in rushing with 50 yards on nine carries. Tony Schlaak had 29 yards on seven carries, Nick Budach 25 on five and Jens Wyrum 20 on seven. Tony Schlaak was 5-for-10 passing for 66 yards and no interceptions. His cousin, Nathan Schlaak, caught four passes for 29 yards. Joe Moon had two receptions for 29 yards.

David Root had 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks to lead the defense. Tom Schultz and John Rathai also had 13 tackles apiece, with Schultz adding a sack.

The Panthers host Blooming Prairie this Friday.