The Mountain Grove Panthers football team dominated the battle for total yards, 296-197, when they took on Salem last Friday night,
Unfortunately, two costly interceptions in the end zone with the quarterback under a lot of pressure were too much for Mountain Grove to overcome in a tough 21-14 loss.
Things looked good early for the Panthers as a Salem player was unable to catch a kickoff and the deflected ball was recovered by Trevor Reese on the Tigers’ 31.
Five plays later, Mountain Grove scored on Brendan Rogers’ three yard touchdown run. Hoyt Mathews’ extra-point kick gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
Salem’s offense responded on their next drive with an all-out rushing attack.
They marched 66 yards on 11 plays before scoring on their lone passing play from eight yards out.
Todd Edwards blocked the extra-point kick to keep the Panthers in front, 7-6.
Mountain Grove’s Alex Casas gave the Panthers good field position on the following kickoff as he returned it 60 yards.
That drive stalled just inside Salem’s 30-yard line. Early in the second quarter, Panthers’ quarterback Tyson Elliott connected with Hollen Glenn on a 43-yard passing play. He connected with Bryce Stenzel for another 11 yards during a drive that reached the 2 yard line. Two straight running plays were stuffed for no gain and Salem took the ball over on downs at their own 1 yard line.
Mountain Grove’s defense did force a three-and-out, giving the Panthers’ offense one more shot to score before halftime. They marched to Salem’s 22 and were just about in field goal range when Elliott faced a lot of defensive pressure before his pass was intercepted in the end zone with 52 seconds left on the clock.
The Panthers took advantage of their first possession in the second half as Glenn scored on the second play from 69 yards out. Mathews’ kick made the score, 14-6.
Salem’s offense once again responded by marching the ball 65 yards on 13 plays before scoring on a seven-yard run. A two-point conversion tied the game at 14-14 with 6:28 left in the third quarter.
After Mountain Grove’s offense turned the ball over on downs on the Tigers’ 43 with 27 seconds left in the third, Salem took advantage.
They marched 57 yards on 11 plays and scored on a two-yard touchdown run. A good extra-point kick put Salem in front, 21-14.
The Panthers’ offense looked ready to respond starting their drive with 6:42 left in the game. Elliott connected with Glenn for a 22-yard passing play.
Mountain Grove did reach the 9 before a penalty pushed them back to the 15.
With six seconds left on the clock, Elliott had one final shot with a pass into the end zone while trying to avoid Salem's defensive pressure. Unfortunately, his pass was intercepted, ending the game for the Panthers.
Glenn had a big night with 14 carries for 105 yards and one touchdown.
He also caught six passes for 96 yards.
Rogers had nine carries for 27 yards and one touchdown. Elliott completed 12-of-19 passes for 141 yards and two interceptions. Trenton Bovan had nine carries for 23 yards.
Mountain Grove hosts Houston on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. for their final home game of the season.
