Panthers Cruise into Semis

Kerry Rodd – NSO

Photos by: Justice Janke

In the 1970’s there was a song that went by the title of ‘Taking Care of Business’ by a group called Bachman Turner Overdrive. That song was fitting for the South Ridge football team on Tuesday night as the Panthers took care of the McGregor Mercs 42-22. In earning the win the Panthers also notched a semifinal game against Wrenshall on Saturday at their home field.

Lane Maranell got things started with a first quarter touchdown run that covered four yards, but the conversion run failed making it 6-0 in favor of the Panthers. That was the only scoring for either team in the opening quarter. Austin Miller added a one yard run in the second quarter, but again the Panthers were unable to convert the extra points and they led it 12-0. The Mercuries bounced back before halftime when Jacob Jones crashed into the end zone on a two yard score that cut the lead to 12-6, but the Panthers answered quickly before halftime when Zach Johnson not only scored on a two-yard touchdown run, but he also added the conversion run as South Ridge built a 20-6 halftime lead.

In the third quarter the Panthers got back-to-back scores from Reid Clark on a 34-yard touchdown run and from Miller on a nine-yard run. Kaleb Dahlman caught a conversion pass on the second touchdown giving South Ridge a 34-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter it was Colton Voight crashing into the end zone from the one and Joey Glunz catching the extra point pass as the lead went to 42-6. McGregor added a pair of late scores, but the damage by South Ridge was far too great for the Mercs to mount a substantial comeback.