Panthers primed for playoff run

Published 2:07 pm Saturday, October 3, 2015

For the first time since 2010, the Panthers hit the six-win mark, and the team still has one more regular-season game left.

The NRHEG football team accumulated 310 yards of total offense and Jason Jongbloedt rushed for two touchdowns in a 24-6 win Friday at Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial.

“Once again our offensive and defensive line controlled the game, and Jason and Perry ran well,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork.

Email newsletter signup

Jongbloedt carried the ball for a game-high 122 yards on 25 carries. Perry Peterson added 83 yards on seven carries.

At halftime, NRHEG led 10-6.

In the second half, Jongbloedt rushed for his second touchdown on a six-yard carry, and Trey Hoppe added a two-yard touchdown to push the Panthers’ advantage to three possessions.

John Cole led NRHEG’s defense with 9 1/2 tackles, and Zeke Erickson had a sack. Cole Staloch led the Panthers’ secondary with an interception.

NRHEG (6-1, 6-1 South Central Blue) extended its winning streak to four games.

Although Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (0-7, 0-6 South Central Blue) remains in search of its first win, the Knights haven’t allowed more than 33 points in a game this season and have three losses by six points or fewer.

Next, the Panthers will host Maple River (6-1, 5-1 South Central Blue) at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“We are building steam for a playoff run, but first and foremost we can’t wait to play Maple River,” Stork said. “Our kids have had this game circled on the schedule since last year.”