Panthers Christen New Field With a Win

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Sept 7, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CULVER- The South Ridge Panthers played their first ever home game at their new field in Culver. The Panthers had to wait one year after the school opened before opening at home for the 2012 football season, but the fans were not disappointed as the Panthers knocked off the Cherry Tigers 31-12.

“The kids were really excited to play here” Head Coach Tony Deleon told Northland Sports Online, “The grass isn’t as green as we’d like but we are ready to play and this is such a nice school and great complex; it will be a great place for many years to come.”

The Panthers got on the scoreboard first as Kody Karppinen connected with Drew Janke on a 58 yard touchdown pass and the Panthers took an early quick lead Friday night at 6-0. Cherry however responded right back as Jordan Parenteau scored the first of his two touchdowns for the Tigers on a 19 yard run to tie the game.

Karppinen responded right back for the Panthers when he connected with Janke for a second time, this time on a 7 yard touchdown pass and a Brody Wilton extra point gave the Panthers a 14-6 lead. Karppinen connected on his third touchdown pass just minutes later in the second quarter, hitting Bill Redding in stride on a 31 yard touchdown connection.

Robbie McQuade nailed a 34 yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give South Ridge a 24-6 lead at the break. The Panthers scored their last touchdown of the game when Devin Lee scored on a 5 yard touchdown run and it was a 31-6 lead for the Panthers after three quarters.

Cherry scored one more time late in the fourth quarter as Parenteau scored his second touchdown on a 5 yard touchdown run. Parenteau who was the workhorse for the Tigers finished with 241 yards rushing on 45 carries on the night.

Coach Deleon stated “That kid was the workhorse for them, but we shut him down pretty much after the first quarter.” Deleon added “We had little jitters out there tonight, but we played well and was nice to get the win here at home.” “We need to look at areas to improve because our schedule doesn’t get any easier” Deleon stated.

The Panthers, with the win improve to 1-1 on the season and they will be home again on Friday when they will host the Chisholm Bluestreaks. Cherry will also be home Friday when they host Northeast Range.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at Dwight@northlandsportsonline.com