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November 10, 2007

Panthers end season with win over Eagles

By Michael Hatch/Special to the Times-Review

RIO VISTA — The Maypearl Panthers scored the go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter and held on to win 14-7 at Eagle Field on Friday night.

It was the Panthers first win of the season as Maypearl finishes 1-9 overall and 1-4 in District 11-2A.

It appeared at the outset, however, that this game might be an offensive shootout. The Panthers’ opening drive showed promise as Maypearl covered 68 yards in three plays to open the scoring.

Darrell Ashlock scored from 20 yards out to cap the drive. The extra point failed and the Panthers led 6-0.

Maypearl didn’t find the end zone again until the waning moments of the game. Lucky for the Panthers, the Eagle offense was just as stagnant.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles (4-6, 0-5) took advantage of a Panther fumble near midfield.

Three plays later, Rio Vista grabbed some momentum when Trey Buckner scored from 19 yards out. The extra point was good and the Eagles led 7-6.

The rest of the first half was a struggle for both offenses as neither could muster any points.

The first possession of the second half looked promising for the Eagles.

Starting from their own 31, the offense began clicking behind the running of Buckner and the arm of quarterback Ethan Stepp.

The Eagles converted two fourth downs and held the ball for more than six minutes. The 14-play drive bogged down and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs at the Maypearl 15.

The Panthers seemed energized by the defensive stop and mounted a long drive of their own. But Maypearl was unable to score and the Eagles took the one point lead into the fourth quarter.

With more than 12 minutes to play, the Eagles began to move the ball. The drive came to a screeching halt as Maypearl’s Luc Leal came away with an interception and ran the ball back to the Rio Vista 43.

The Eagles defense held, however, and forced the Panthers to punt. The subsequent drive for the Eagles was fruitless and the Panthers took over near midfield with three minutes remaining.

Maypearl went to Ashlock, who carried the ball six times in a nine-play drive. The Panthers converted two third downs and a fourth and inches at the Eagle 20.

Ashlock capped the drive with an 11-yard scamper on an option play over the left side. The Panthers opted to go for the two point conversion and were successful.

The Eagles were left with 30 seconds to try and tie the game.

Stepp made a couple of good throws, but the Eagles came up short as Stepp’s pass to Daniel Dollar was short of the end zone. Stepp completed 12-of-18 passes for 169 yards. Ashlock finished with 136 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns.

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