Panthers Terrific Season Comes To A Close

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Nov 17, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

MINNEAPOLIS- When the Panthers entered the Metrodome on Thursday afternoon to watch the Moose Lake-Willow River game at the state tournament, the Panthers took in all the sights and sounds Thursday knowing that they were the first team to see the field on Friday morning in the 9-Man state semi-final. The Dome proved to be a memorable place for the Panthers, but not entirely the way they were hoping as the Panthers fell to Grand Meadow in the state semi-finals by a score of 61-6.

Grand Meadow showed right away why this overlooked team will have a great chance at winning their first ever state championship. Friday morning the Superlarks scored touchdowns on their first three drives; they also scored touchdowns on eight of their first nine drives. The Panthers trailed 22-0 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 42-0 at halftime to the Superlarks.

Trenton Bleifus threw four first half touchdown passes to help lead the Superlarks, Bleifus threw two touchdown passes to Bryce Benson and Perry Stejskal had two touchdown runs that jump started the Superlarks in the first quarter. The Superlarks added three more touchdowns in the second half, one in the third quarter and two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Grand Meadow had a well balanced offense, which ran the ball very effectively, rushing for 348 yards on the game, averaging 7 yards per carry. The Superlarks Bleifus threw for 158 yards as well in the Grand Meadow victory.

The Panthers had one scoring drive late in the game and it was Kody Karppinen connecting with Drew Janke on a 10 yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers their only score of the contest. The two point conversion failed and the touchdown was the Panthers only points of the game.

The telling factor of the game was how the Superlarks managed to convert in critical situation as they finished 7-7 on fourth down conversions while they were only 2-12 on third down. The Panthers finished with 5 first downs, four coming on their lone late touchdown drive.

“As coaches we try to instill character, and although the scoreboard didn’t end up the way we would have liked today, that character showed through. There was no giving up; everyone played hard until the very end and I couldn’t be prouder of a group of kids. It hurts today, but being in the top four in the state is not a bad consolation prize.” Panthers first year Head Coach Tony DeLeon stated after the game.

The Panthers, by most accounts were not supposed to even win the conference, yet alone make a great state tournament run. Most people figured a .500 season would be wonderful for this program in its second year as South Ridge and third year playing football with players from both the former AlBrook and Cotton schools.

The Panthers shocked everyone this season as they finish 11-2 overall after winning only one game in the past two years. “I keep saying it and I’m sure [the media] are getting tired of hearing it, but the players really are what made this season what it was, stated DeLeon. “They have done everything the coaches ask of them, they worked hard and had fun. Extending the season will certainly benefit the program. All of the underclassmen got extra reps and practices because of the extra games and it was a nice way to send out this group of seniors who have worked so hard.”

Northland Sports Online would like to thank all involved who truly are a great group of kids, coaches, and parents that helped make this season special and remarkable… Thanks for the wonderful ride…!

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com