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Putnam City North

Panthers

FOOTBALL

Timberwolves wear down the Panthers

 

PHOTOS BY DARIN WIEWEL

 

Thursday night was a tale of two halves as the Putnam City North Panthers hosted the Norman North Timberwolves for what should prove to be the district championship game. Both teams were undefeated in district play and this was to most difficult game remaining on either squad’s schedule.

The first half was a defensive struggle.

Late in the first quarter, on Norman’s third series the game, the game was still knotted at zero. Timberwolves’ quarterback, Jake Damrill, attempted a screen pass. Panthers defensive end, Leo Gross, picked off the pass and returned it for a touchdown. The snap on the PAT was bobbled and the attempt was no good. 

The Panthers struck first for a six-point lead.

Early in the second quarter the Wolves struck back. Running back Beau Blankenship had two carries that covered 50 yards and finished in the end zone. The PAT was good.

Norman North led Putnam City North at halftime, 7-6.

The second half belonged to the Norman North squad.

The first three PCN possessions of the half ended in turnovers.

The first was an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The next two turnovers set the Wolves up in great field position, leading to another touchdown. At the end of the third quarter the Wolves led 21-6.

The Panthers first possession of the fourth quarter was more of the same. Another turnover by the Panthers was recovered and returned by the Wolves to the 3-yard line. Blankenship found the end zone again to stretch the lead to 28-6.

To add insult to injury, the last score of the game was set up by the Panthers being forced to go for first downs on fourth down. The Panthers were stopped short and turned the ball over on downs giving the Wolves good field position.

Blankenship ran the ball four straight plays and crossed the goal line with 6:43 left in the game to give us the final score of 35-6.

The Putnam City North defense played fairly well, but the turnovers were just to steep a hill to climb. 

The Panthers look to rebound next week when they play their cross-town rival Putnam City West.