October 8, 2015 at 12:09 p.m.
Can stays, Panthers beat Fennimore
The even better news is that Iowa-Grant has made the play-offs and are back on track of being a tough football team.
The shocking come-from-behind win by Mineral Point last week may have carried over for three quarters of Friday's battle with Fennimore but it ended up with the Panthers getting to where they wanted to be as they turned back the Golden Eagles 22-12 in a key SWAL game.
For the first three quarters there was nothing on the scoreboard for either team.
"We were a little sluggish to start but played better as the game went on," said Panther coach Gary Allen.
The Panthers were moving the football and it was only a matter of time before they would be able to punch one in.
"We were inside the 5 yard line once in the first three quarters but penalties and mistakes kept us from scoring," Allen said.
Fennimore scored first but the Panthers regrouped and decided it was "go" time.
"Our leaders stepped up in the second half and everyone really played with a lot of intensity," Allen said.
"The kids were frustrated at halftime but instead of falling apart they came together and played well. We were able to complete some passes and our fullbacks Zach Campbell and Brady Peat had some good carries. That loosened things up for Brayden Johnson," Allen said.
Open it up it did as Johnson ran for three scores and picked up 175 yards on 34 carries.
The fullbacks, Campbell and Peat, kept the Eagles' hands full. Campbell gained 30 yards on six carries and Peat added 18 on four.
When it came to catching the football tight end Collin Price opened the game up with two catches for 62 yards.
"Collin had a couple of big catches. The catch early in the second half was big. I think sometimes our opponents concentrate so much on Brayden, other kids get opportunities," said Allen.
"It helps when the other team has to respect the pass or the fullback. That can make Brayden even more effective," said Allen. Campbell caught six passes for 30 yards from his fullback spot.
The Panthers have the SWAL's top two teams on their schedule, Cuba City and Darlington, to end the regular season but it isn't the "who" that concerns Allen.
"We try not to get wrapped up in those things," Allen said about playing the top two teams. "Our main focus is improving this week so we play better than we did last week."
"Cuba City is very good," Allen said about the team they host Friday. "They are well coached and they have good athletes. We will need to play well."
