Panthers Fall to Milford
Friday’s matchup between the Saint Jo Panthers and the Milford Bulldogs was expected to be a battle of two senior laden teams. The game did not disappoint for 3 quarters, as the teams played close to begin the game. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit Saint Jo during the latter part of the 3rd quarter, which allowed the Bulldogs to pull away for a 66-20 victory.
Milford opened the scoring with a touchdown run by Jaquay Brown. The Panthers answered right back with a 60 yd drive, capped by a 1 yd touchdown run by Laramie Brawner. The seesaw battle continued as Tyler Fedrick put the Bulldogs ahead 16-6 at the end of the 1st quarter.
The second quarter was all about defense until the final minute as both teams got on the board in the final sixty seconds. Saint Jo got points from a Garrett Parker to Wyatt West 27 yd touchdown strike, while the Bulldogs’ Brown struck again from 38 yds out to put the Bulldogs ahead 24-12 at halftime.
Milford would get the ball to start the second half, but on it’s third play, Wyatt West picked off an errant pass and returned it 45 yards for the score. The extra point kick was good by Daimeon Lawler, and the Panthers pulled to within 24-20. That’s when the injuries began to affect the Panthers, as several players had to move to unfamiliar positions. The momentum was lost and Milford scored three more times and led 46-20 at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth was more of the same, as Milford scored 20 more unanswered to end the game with 5:12 remaining and take a 66-20 victory. Standouts on offense were Laramie Brawner and Wyatt West for the Panthers. Defensively, the Panthers were led by Brawner and Baltazar Lozano.
This Friday is homecoming at Saint Jo High School. The junior high opens its season with a 5pm start against the Gold-Burg Bears. The varsity game will start at 7:30 against the Bears, with homecoming festivities at halftime of the varsity game.