Bearcats eek by Panthers 7-6

[TiGgEr3]

In their first step towards rebounding from a disappointing 2-7 season, the Spencerville Bearcats headed into Paulding to take on the Panthers in the first Northwest Conference game for each team.

Turnovers, outstanding defenses, and a total of 14 punts set the tone early for this matchup, as the teams traded goose eggs in the first period to stand 0-0 after the first quarter of play.

In the second quarter however, Spencerville was finally able to punch one in as Senior Quarterback Cody Bell forced thru the Panther D-Line for a 1 yard score, followed by a successful extra point attempt by fellow Senior, and Bearcat Running Back Joel Lee. The two teams traded multiple punts for the rest of the half, and the score stood 7-0 in favor of the visitors at the break.

When play resumed after the intermission, the two teams that emurged from the locker rooms did not look that much different than the two teams who entered at the half. The third quarter was marred with each teams punter testing out his leg, and as the third quarter ran out, the Bearcats still held a 7-0 lead.

Things began to heat up in the fourth quarter as Paulding came knocking on the Bearcat door. After getting so close on a few opportunites, only to see the drives end in miscues or punts, the Panthers finally punched one in when Panther Shawn Carnahan rumbled in from five yards out to close the Spencerville lead down to one, but unfortunately for Paulding, their kicker missed the extra point, and ultimately sealed the Panthers fate as they dropped to a disappointing 0-2,and 0-1 in NWC play, while Spencerville upped their record to 1-1 overall, and 1-0 in Conference play.




Here are the stats:

Spencerville Paulding

4 First downs 5

84 Total yardage 83

79 Rushing yardage 67

5 Passing yardage 16

1-7-1 Passing (Com-Att-Int) 1-4-1

3-2 Fumbles-Lost 5-1

8-30.6 Punts-Average 6-29.5

2-15 Penalties-Yards 3-15


Score by quarters:

Spencerville 0 7 0 0- 7

Paulding 0 0 0 6- 6