Strong second fuels PHS win

Panthers pull away for 44-20 win over Wolves

Posted 10/13/20

For the first time all season, Powell was in a shootout on Friday. The Panthers went to the locker room leading by just one point, 21-20, in their road contest against Green River.

It was a sound …

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Strong second fuels PHS win

Panthers pull away for 44-20 win over Wolves

Posted

For the first time all season, Powell was in a shootout on Friday. The Panthers went to the locker room leading by just one point, 21-20, in their road contest against Green River.

It was a sound first-half effort for the most part, but PHS struggled in one key area: turnovers. The Panthers turned the ball over four times in the first half (three fumbles, one interception), allowing the Wolves to stay in the game.

“We couldn’t hold onto the ball, and our defense wasn’t playing as aggressive as it has in the past,” head coach Chase Kistler said.

The second half was a different story.

Powell held Green River to just 2 total yards in the second half and didn’t allow any points. Offensively, the Panthers ran for 269 yards in the final 24 minutes, helping them pull away and escape with a 44-20 win.

“We made some adjustments, and they set in after halftime,” Kistler said. “We had to change some things because of what Green River was doing, and then we found our rhythm.”

In total, PHS tallied 364 rushing yards. Kadden Abraham led the charge in the run game with 209 yards and three touchdowns, while Toran Graham and Reed Smith added a combined 114 yards.

“Kadden ran the ball really well,” Kistler said. “Reed Smith also came in and ran it well. Our run game really took off after we made those adjustments.”

While most of the Panthers’ offensive production was on the ground, one of the scores came through the air. Quarterback Landon Lengfelder found Jesse Trotter on a 54-yard haul.

That was one of three completions for Lengfelder, who logged 81 passing yards, as well as 37 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Much of Powell’s second-half offensive success can be traced to the blocking, and Kistler noted Karson Lamb as a lineman who stood out.

Defensively, linebacker Seth Horton impressed Kistler and the coaching staff, despite leaving the game with a rib injury. The senior recorded four unassisted tackles, as well as 0.5 sacks.

Sam Whitlock, a junior, also “stepped up and played a physical game,” the coach said. He finished with one interception and an unassisted tackle.

Powell is now 5-1 overall with two regular-season contests remaining. The win over Green River was the Panthers’ farthest road trip to this point, and Kistler said he hopes this builds experience in that regard for his squad.

“It was a good test for us,” Kistler said. “It was a long trip, so that preps us for road trips like Evanston or playoffs.”

PHS will take the field next on Friday when the Panthers host No. 1 Jackson Hole at 5 p.m.

(Editor's note: This version corrects the final score of the game.)

Powell High School, Panther Football

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