Panthers Go From Worst to First Capture Conference Title

Oct 17, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

The South Ridge Panthers picked up the top seed in the Section 5 Nine-Man football playoffs on Wednesday night with final regular season victory over Silver Bay 36-8.

The Panthers used a potent combination of passing and running to secure the win and run their record to 7-1 overall, and 7-1 in the conference, under first-year head coach Tony Deleon.

Colton Peterson caught a Kody Karppinen pass and raced 41-yards for a score and the Karppinen to Bill Redding extra point conversion pass gave the Panthers an 8-0 lead after one quarter.

Peterson also caught a six yard touchdown pass from Karppinen in the second quarter as the Panthers built the lead to 14-0 at the break.

The third quarter saw the Panthers strike three times as Dominic Janke scored on a three-yard run, Redding scored on a 17-yard dash and Devon Lee plowed in from the four year line. At the end of three quarters the Panthers led it 36-0.

Silver Bay scored the lone touchdown of the fourth quarter when Brad Rowlee scored on a 10-yard run.

Redding led the Panthers with 112 yards rushing, while Lee added 86 yards on the ground.

After posting only 4 total wins in the past three years, the Panthers 7-1 record captures the Big North Conference title.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com