NEW RICHLAND — Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Nathan Schoenherr scored on a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown Friday, the only points of the second half, as the Chargers beat the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers 20-13.

“MVL is a very well- coached team that plays a very physical style of football,” NRHEG head coach Dan Stork said. “I am very proud of our kids effort tonight. They left it all on the field.”

The Panthers (4-3, 3-3 Gopher Valley) and the Chargers (3-4, 3-3) exchanged touchdowns early in the first quarter.

MVL scored first on a six-yard run by Travis Kretsch but the Panthers responded, evening the score at 7-7 on a 76-yard pass from Geoff Ramaker to David Lassahn.

NRHEG gave up a big play of their own, though, a 73-yard run by MVL’s Ryan Grunke to put the Chargers up 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers’ Sam Lundberg passed to Lucas Meyer for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter to pull within one at 14-13, but couldn’t score again in the 20-13 loss.

“We are very banged up right now,” Stork said. “Hopefully we can get healed and rested in time to play Wednesday at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop.”

Lundberg led the Panthers in passing, going 13-for-27 for 174 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Lassahn was one of two Panthers receivers with more than 70 yards receiving, tallying 76 yards and a touchdown on one reception. Evan Ferber had 71 yards on three receptions, and Chad Schlaak had 38 yards on four receptions.

Ramaker led the team in rushing with 39 yards on 14 carries, while Lundberg had 22 yards on 13 carries for the Panthers.

Dustin Esplan and Cory Kaupa led the Panthers defense with 14 and 13 tackles, respectively.