For the last three seasons, Mountain Grove and Salem football games have been decided by one score or less.
In 2018, the Panthers won 14-13. The last two years, Salem has picked up 6-0 and 21-14 victories over Mountain Grove.
The 2021 match-up was no different last Friday night. Though this time, the Panthers came out on the winning end, defeating the Tigers, 20-13.
Salem’s players started the game by forcing the Panthers’ offense to go three-and-out.
The Tigers then marched 64 yards on just nine plays to score on their opening drive. The drive included six plays that went for six yards or more. The extra-point kick gave Salem a 7-0 lead.
Mountain Grove’s offense looked like it was ready to respond in the second quarter as they put together a seven minute drive that started on their own 17.
The drive included quarterback Tyson Elliott connecting with Hollen Glenn on a 32-yard passing play. He nearly had an 18-yard touchdown pass four plays later to Bryce Stenzel. Unfortunately, Stenzel was called for offensive passing interference.
Two plays later, Salem intercepted Elliott’s pass that wen in and out of a wide receiver’s hands and into the chest of a Tigers’ defender.
Mountain Grove’s defense then swayed the momentum back to the Panthers four plays later when Drew Vaughan intercepted a pass on the Panthers’ 22. He was hurt on the play. The Panthers started their final first half drive with 2:10 on the clock. Mountain Grove then passed their way down the field as Elliott connected on five passes. Elliott hit Stenzel on a 23-yard play followed by a 10-yard pass to push the ball to Salem’s 38.
Then on a 4th-and-2 with five seconds left on the clock, Elliott connected with Glenn down the sideline for a 29-yard touchdown pass as time expired. Since Vaughan was out of the game with an injury, as he is also the team’s main placekicking holder, the Panthers’ offense went for two points. Unfortunately, Isiah Hellbusch’s two-point run fell short as Mountain Grove trailed 7-6 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers received an early gift when a bad snap on a punt attempt was recovered by Gaven Moore on Salem’s 33.
It was at this time that the Panthers established their running game. They had five straight running plays and scored on Hellbusch’s six-yard touchdown run. Elliott then hit Stenzel for a two-point pass for a 14-7 lead.
With 1:58 left in the third, it appeared that Colton Allen stripped a Salem running back of the ball and was headed towards the end zone. Officials; however, blew the whistle early on forward progress and there was no chance for six points.
Two plays later, Salem’s quarterback was intercepted Brendan Rogers on the Panthers’ 6 to end a Tigers’ drive. Rogers returned the ball 43 yards to give Mountain Grove’s offense the ball at midfield.
Unfortunately, a three-and-out followed the pick. With 9:18 left in the game, the Panthers’ offensive line simply dominated the Tigers up front as Mountain Grove marched 61 yards on just six plays. Glenn had a 12-yard run and a 21-yard run. Those were followed by Rogers’ nine-yard gain and Trenton Bevan’s seven yard touchdown run. The two-point run failed, keeping the Panthers in front, 20-7.
On the following drive, Salem’s offense received a lot of help from costly Mountain Grove penalties. There was a personal foul on the kickoff to move the ball near midfield followed on the very next play by a personal foul on the defense. Two plays later, a passing interference call kept a drive alive inside the 20. Salem finished a 42 second drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass. Gus MacPherson blocked the extra-point kick, keeping the score at 20-13.
The Panthers’ offense was unable to answer the score, but they did run the clock down to under a minute left in the game.
Salem received the ball on their one 37, but the Panthers defense did not give them a chance as they forced a four-and-out. The Panthers won the offensive yards battle.
They had 128 yards passing and 50 yards on the ground for 178 total yards in the first half. They finished the game with 140 yards in the air and 183 on the ground for 323 total yards of offense.
Salem had just 22 yards in the air and 90 on the ground for 112 in the first half. They finished the game with 74 yards passing and 79 yards rushing for 153 total yards of offense.
Elliott finished the game by completing 13-of-19 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown.
Stenzel had six catches for 61 yards. Glenn had a big night finishing with five catches for 85 yards and one touchdown. He also had six carries for 55 yards.
Bevan had 11 carries for 59 yards and one touchdown. Hellbusch had nine carries for 59 yards and one touchdown.
On Friday, Oct. 15, the Panthers will host rival Houston, who is 2-5 on the season.
Their lone wins came over St. James (33-14) and Salem (20-13).
The Tigers lost last Friday night on the road in Willow Springs, 28-6.
