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Panthers fall in slugfest with Caruthersville

Late touchdown gives Tigers a 36-35 win

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The Mountain Grove Panthers were under two minutes away from a 2-0 start to the 2020 season last Friday night when they had their slugfest with the Caruthersville Tigers on the road.

Unfortunately, the Tigers gave the Panthers a long three plus hour trip home after they scored a late touchdown and won the game, 36-35.

Though they lost the battle, the Panthers’ high energy and solid effort on the field are expected to continue in this week’s rivalry match-up in Ava on Friday, Sep. 11.

Early against the Tigers, the Panthers’ defense picked up an early turnover when Todd Edwards intercepted a pass to end a Caruthersville drive.

The Panthers’ offense was unable to take advantage, however, as Brendan Rogers had a rare fumble.

Starting with the ball near midfield, the Tigers had a couple of big runs capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick was blocked, keeping Caruthersville up 6-0.

Early in the second quarter, Edwards picked off his second pass of the game and the Panthers offense would take advantage this time.

A couple of defensive penalties helped Mountain Grove on a drive that ended with quarterback Tyson Elliott hitting Hollen Glenn on a 39-yard touchdown pass. Hoyt Mathews’ extra-point kick gave Mountain Grove a 7-6 edge.

The Tigers responded a few plays later on a fake reverse. Their two-point conversion put them in front 14-7 with 4:19 left in the first half.

Mountain Grove got a long kickoff return after the score from Alex Casas as Casas returned the ball to the Tigers’ 24.

Elliott would eventually score on a one-yard plunge. Mathews’ kick tied the game at 14-14 with 1:48 left in the half.

The Panthers’ defense was unable to stop Caruthersville’s rushing attack. They scored with 16 seconds left on the clock. Their two-point conversion gave the Tigers a 22-14 lead at halftime.

Mountain Grove’s wind came out of their sale a bit early in the third quarter when senior Anthony Peterson was carried off the field with a serious injury.

In spite of being down a key lineman, the Panthers responded by sealing that same drive with Glenn’s four yard touchdown run. Elliott then competed a two-point conversion pass to Jase Dowden to tie the game at 22-22.

Mountain Grove’s offense kept their foot on the accelerator as they scored on their next drive with Glenn’s one yard plunge. Mathews’ kick gave the Panthers a 29-22 edge.

Like a heavyweight boxing match, the Tigers answered with a punch of their own. They scored on a one yard plunge. A two-point conversion put Caruthersville in front 30-29.

It was Mountain Grove’s turn midway through the fourth quarter. Elliott completed a big 32-yard pass to Drew Vaughan to get the ball to the Tigers’ 21.

A few plays later, Elliott connected with Glenn for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The two-point attempt failed, keeping the Panthers in front 35-30.

Caruthersville’s offense picked up where it left off on its last drive with solid gains in the running game.

They quickly marched the ball inside the 5 when they scored on a fourth and inches from the 2. Their two-point try failed, but they now had the lead, 36-35, with 1:40 left in the game.

A late Panthers drive ended on a long pass that was intercepted with 12 seconds left on the clock.

Glenn led Mountain Grove with 95 yards receiving and 77 yards on the ground with four touchdowns.

Elliott had 178 yards passing with two touchdowns. Bryce Stenzel added 35 yards receiving.

Defensively, Hunter Means had seven tackles. Edwards had two interceptions.