Panthers rush for more than 550 yards in Houston win

The Mountain Grove Panthers’ football team quite literally ran through Houston’s defense last Friday night for a 46-13 victory to remain undefeated in the South Central Association (SCA) Conference.
Mountain Grove had one rusher with nearly 250 yards on the ground and two more with more than 100 yards a piece as the Panthers tallied 566 total yards rushing. Their 594 total yards of offense was simply too much for the Tigers to overcome.
The rushing attack started on the very first play of the game when Braydon Curtiss ran for 52 yards. Two plays later, Eli Golden scored on a 20-yard touchdown run. Dameon Martin’s extra-point kick put the Panthers in front 7-0.
After Mountain Grove’s defense forced a three-and-out, the offense started with the ball at midfield.
Quarterback Aden Estep had a 19-yard gain on the eight play drive that ended with his one-yard touchdown plunge. Martin’s kick made the score 14-0.
Houston’s offense responded as a 29-yard passing play was followed two plays later by a 31-yard touchdown run. The good extra-point kick closed the Panthers’ gap to 14-7.
Mountain Grove would respond less than two minutes later when Kaden Murphy’s 17-yard gain came two plays before Estep’s 40-yard touchdown run. The failed extra-point kick kept the lead at 20-7.
Peyton Metty had a tackle for a seven-yard loss on the Tigers’ next drive that ended with another three-and-out.
Estep had a big 59-yard run on the Panthers’ next drive that ended with another of his one-yard touchdown runs. Martin’s kick pushed the lead to 27-7.
Houston’s offense started their next drive near midfield and used a 25-yard passing play to push the ball eventually to the Panthers’ 16.
On fourth down, Slade Rodgers made a tackle for a five-yard loss to end the drive abruptly.
Mountain Grove’s offense had two carries for more than 25 yards and added a near 20-yard carry to move the ball deep into Tigers’ territory. Curtiss scored on a three-yard touchdown run before a two-point conversion attempt failed to keep the score at 33-7.
Houston’s offense used a 28-yard passing play to push their next drive into Panthers’ territory.
Estep then intercepted a pass to stop the drive, setting up the offense for a chance to score on one final play before halftime.
Estep’s pass would go incomplete in the end zone, sending the game into the break.
Mountain Grove’s offense had 399 yards rushing in the first half while the defense held the Tigers to 147 total yards.
In the third quarter, the Panthers’’ defense quickly forced a three-and-out to set the tone for the second half. Mountain Grove’s offense would then go on a 95-yard drive on 11 plays that ended with Estep’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Golden. The failed two-point conversion kept the score at 39-7.
The Tigers’ offense would respond with a 64-yard drive with the help of a couple of big passing plays. A 29-yard touchdown pass ended the drive. A failed extra-point kick kept the score at 39-13 early in the fourth quarter.
Golden took the following kickoff to midfield that was followed one play later by Estep’s 53-yard touchdown run. Martin’s kick pushed the lead to 46-13.
Mountain Grove’s defense would soon add a fumble recovery and Murphy’s interception to seal the win.
The Panthers finished with 566 total yards rushing and 28 in the air for 594 total yards of offense.
Houston had 135 yards passing and 153 yards rushing for 288 total yards of offense.
Estep finished the game with 12 carries for 248 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed one pass for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Golden had seven carries for 142 yards and one touchdown. He added one catch for 28 yards and one touchdown. Curtiss tallied 12 carries for 105 yards rushing and one touchdown. Murphy had three carries for 34 yards.
Up next for Mountain Grove is a showdown with undefeated Thayer for the SCA Crown at home starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.
The Bobcats are coming off a 69-0 shutout of Willow Springs. One week earlier, they defeated Ava 30-14.