Panthers thrash Evanston Red Devils

Score three defensive touchdowns in final regulation game

Posted 10/27/20

While the temperatures have rapidly cooled down throughout the state of Wyoming in the past few days, Powell football has done the opposite: heated up. 

The Panthers finished the 2020 regular …

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Panthers thrash Evanston Red Devils

Score three defensive touchdowns in final regulation game

Posted

While the temperatures have rapidly cooled down throughout the state of Wyoming in the past few days, Powell football has done the opposite: heated up. 

The Panthers finished the 2020 regular season with a 50-0 rout of Evanston. With the win, Powell High School enters the playoffs with a 6-2 record. 

PHS found an offensive groove early, driving down the field and scoring on each of its first two offensive drives. Once the Panthers clawed out to the 14-0 advantage, there was no going back.

“That set the tone,” said PHS head coach Chase Kistler. “We just got out to a quick start and they just lost a lot of fire after.”

Powell stood out both offensively and defensively for all 48 minutes, helping it sustain such a sizable lead. 

The defense logged three fumble recoveries for touchdowns and an interception, dominating the turnover margin. Evanston notched just 141 yards of total offense and -7 passing yards.

While the offense was productive in its own right, Kistler traced much of the rout to a stingy defensive effort. 

“Our offense put up points when on the field, but the defense was just great,” Kistler said. 

The coach pointed out defensive back Zach Ratcliff as a standout on that side of the ball, recording an interception, fumble recovery and three tackles. Others who made their mark defensively were Jesse Trotter, Adrian Geller and Toran Graham. 

Like most of Powell’s games this year, a strong run game allowed the Panthers to excel offensively. Kadden Abraham led the team in rushing yards with 102, also adding a touchdown. And junior Toran Graham notched 71 yards and three scores on 10 touches.

Quarterback Landon Lengfelder added to the run game as well, recording 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, in addition to his 55 passing yards. Wide receiver Jesse Trotter contributed in the backfield, too, with two strong rushes for 31 yards. 

Kistler noted how the versatility of using several different backs enhanced this rushing attack. 

“Jesse [Trotter] had a great game, and we put him in different scenarios,” Kistler said. “Landon [Lengfelder] controlled the offense better and did well in the run game.”

Up front, one lineman especially stood out to Kistler in the win: Sheldon Shoopman. A junior tackle, Shoopman “played well and created holes for the backs,” the coach said. 

All in all, Kistler said the six-plus-hour trek across the state couldn’t have gone any better.

“I’m just happy that we made the long trip and didn’t have any injuries,” Kistler said. “We’re playing as good as we could be, and it’s good when you have momentum on your side and are confident and healthy.”

The Panthers enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in Class 3A West and will play on the road against Lander Valley in the quarterfinals. The game will start at 5 p.m. on Friday. 

Last year, the Panthers opened the playoffs at Lander, cruising to a 41-14 win before making a run to the state title game. Kistler said he thinks this similarity could favor his squad. 

“We’re in a familiar position,” he said. “It’s very familiar, so now we just have to take care of business.”

(Editor's note: This version corrects the Panthers' opponent in the first-round of the 2019 playoffs.)

Powell High School, Panther Football

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