Heading into Friday the Powell High School football team knew it needed a win on the road in Evanston to stay ahead in the playoff race — the Panthers got just that when they defeated the Red Devils 35-20.

Powell (4-3, 2-1) nearly got off to the perfect start, when Trey Stenerson caught the first pass of the game from Jhett Schwahn and raced 66 yards to the end zone just 13 seconds into the game.

The play was called back for an illegal motion, and the Panthers eventually punted on their first drive.

Powell got the ball back immediately after when Lannon Brazelton recovered a fumble, and three plays later Schwahn found Evan Whitlock for a 9-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

Another turnover by the Red Devils (1-6; 0-3) came by way of Stenerson, who intercepted a pass and returned it to inside the 10-yard line.

The Panthers got their second score of the game when Schwahn kept it on a run from 3 yards out on fourth down to make it 14-0.

“We were not coming out blazing but we had a much quicker start than we have had in our other games in terms of playing football,” coach Chase Kistler said.

Powell got its third score of the game in the second quarter, when Keona Wisniewski found his way into the end zone from a yard out to make it 21-0 with 7:09 to play.

Wisniewski was forced into the backfield when multiple Panther running backs went down with injuries in the game.

Powell had its first turnover on its next drive on a Case Bradish fumble to give Evanston the ball in Panther territory.

The Panther defense stood tall, keeping the game at 21-0 heading into halftime.

“I told them at halftime in the past we have had one mistake depicting what we do for the next two or three plays. This time we jumped out quickly, had a couple things not go our way and ultimately it was one of our best games we have played as a team,” Kistler said.

A fourth down stop by the Panthers to end a nearly nine minute drive kept Evanston out of the end zone to start the second half.

Powell gave the ball back two plays later on another fumble, and Evanston punched it in to make it 21-6 after a blocked extra point.

The Panthers extended the lead to 28-6 at the start of the fourth quarter, when Schwahn scrambled in from 9 yards out.

Schwahn found Trevon Abraham for a 10-yard touchdown to put the game away 35-6 with 4:17 left.

Evanston got two late touchdowns to make it a 35-20 final score.

KEY GAME

Powell returns home this Friday, matching up against Jackson (3-4 overall, 1-2 3A West) at 5 p.m.

“It is nice that we are on our home field and we are coming off a win and they are coming off a loss,” Kistler said. “It was unfortunate mishaps that cost them the game against Green River. Jackson is a good team, they have a good quarterback and love to spread the ball around.”

Jackson is coming into the game sitting in the No. 5 seed in the 3A West after a disappointing loss to Green River 33-17.

If the Panthers win that game, they secure at least the No. 3 seed heading into the postseason, but should the Panthers lose it will create a large array of scenarios to determine playoff berths heading into the final week of the season.

POWELL 35, EVANSTON 20

Passing — Jhett Schwahn 16-16, 128 yards, 2 touchdowns

Rushing — Case Bradish 12-44; Jhett Schwahn 7-31, 1 touchdown; Keona Wisniewksi 8-31, 1 touchdown; Steven Stambaugh 2-7; Trevon Abraham 1-4

Receiving — Evan Whitlock 2-41, 1 touchdown; Nathan Feller 5-38; Alex Jordan 2-22; Trey Stenerson 6-17; Trevon Abraham 2-10, 1 touchdown

Interceptions — Trey Stenerson 1; Jhett Schwahn 1

Fumble recoveries — Lannon Brazelton 1

Sacks — Nathan Feller 1; Trey Stenerson .5; Lannon Brazelton .5

3A WEST STANDINGS

1. Cody 6-0; 3-0

2. Star Valley 5-2; 2-1

3. Powell 4-3; 2-1

4. Green River 2-5; 1-2

5. Jackson 3-4; 1-2

6. Evanston 1-6; 0-3