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A week after facing SWAL co-leader and undefeated Mineral Point for the Iowa-Grant football team it didn't get any easier.
In fact it may have gotten harder as the Panthers took on co-leader and also undefeated Lancaster,
The Panthers were outraced by the powerful Flying Arrows 50-6. They found a way to score with 10:33 left in the game when Zachary Winkler pounded the ball in from two yards out.
Perhaps the best thing that came from facing two of the state's top teams is the fact no one was injured on Iowa-Grant's side of the field.
"Overall, we remained healthy through these two tough games," said Panther coach Zach Raimer.
Winkler led the ground game for the Panthers with 40 yards on 12 carries and Andrew Winders fought for nine yards on five tries.
Ross Havlik threw 15 times, completing three, for 33 yards and was intercepted twice.
Reid Lundell was the leading receiver with two catches for 38 yards.
While the Panthers are out of contention for the SWAL title and a post season playoff berth the Pointers and Flying Arrows have a date with destiny on October 18 when they meet in the SWAL finale. Depending on how both teams come out in their battles this week--Lancaster with once beaten La Crosse Aquinas and Mineral Point with a tough Darlington team--the title could be decided when those two teams meet.
Raimer knows the two teams will bring it all when they meet.
"Mineral Point vs Lancaster for the final game of the season will be one to go watch," Raimer said. "Both teams are stout on the offensive sides of the ball, allowing them to put up quite a few points. I am assuming that it will be a good competitive game for both teams."
Much of last Friday's game was spent trying to figure out how to compete against Lancaster's strong defense. The Panthers had some success against it by staying the course.
"We had a few first down conversions in the game and were able to score late," said Raimer. "Lancaster has a great defense, so it was hard to gain any momentum during the game."
Corey Hahn ran for three touchdowns for the Arrows and Dawson Bowen got in via the rush for two. Hayden Wagner did the rest of the damage with a pair of interceptions for Lancaster scores.
While Lancaster had the advantage the Panthers were able to show some improvement in their play.
"We saw some improvements in discipline this week," Raimer said. "Players were doing their jobs both offensively and defensively."
Defensively the Panthers were led by Andrew Winders, 6 solo, 1 assist; Keagan Pilling, 5 solo, 2 assist and Jason Sedbrook: 3 solo, 2 assists, 2 for loss.
With two games left to play in a year that started with a coaching change, Raimer is pleased with where the Panthers are and what they have accomplished.
"When you have a transition year from one head coach to another, it is usually accompanied with some struggles and challenges," Raimer noted. "I believe that our team has taken on these struggles and the players have made some great gains this season. I am excited to see how we perform in our last two games of the season."
This week the Panthers will be welcoming back alumni for the annual Homecoming game where they will entertain SWAL newcomer the Onalaska Luther Knights.
"We are preparing for Luther just like every other team this year," Raimer said. "We are working on perfecting our offensive scheme and remaining disciplined on the defensive side of the ball. We are expecting a tough battle come Friday night."