The Stone Memorial Panthers opened up their season with a road victory on Friday as they traveled north to Jamestown and defeated the York Institute Dragons, 21-13.
“It was ugly, like so many week one games are,” said Stone Memorial head coach Derik Samber. “You learn a lot about your football team in a tight game in an environment like this. I learned this bunch can overcome adversity.”
Stone Memorial racked up 299 rushing yards in the win, led by 186 yard and two touchdowns from junior running back TJ McDowell. Lincoln Eldridge tacked on 76 yards on the ground.
“My offensive line and Y receivers were blocking well,” said McDowell. “I was just trying to get out there and do what I do.”
Quarterback Max Warner went 11-19 for 162 yards through the air and a touchdown along with 37 rushing yards.
The Panthers scored four plays into the contest as McDowell broke loose on a 39-yard touchdown run to give his team a 7-0 lead with 10:14 remaining in the first quarter.
York Institute answered on the ensuing drive as quarterback Ryder Smith punched in a one-yard touchdown on fourth and goal to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:40 left in the opening frame.
Stone Memorial retook the lead late in the second quarter as McDowell rushed in his second touchdown from 12 yards out to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead with 1:06 remaining in the second quarter.
York Institute marched into Stone territory with less than a minute remaining before Panther defensive back Braxton Howard intercepted a Dragon pass to preserve his team’s 14-7 halftime lead.
The Dragons answered on the second play of the third quarter as Smith took an outside run 73 yards to the end zone for a York touchdown. Following a failed PAT, Stone Memorial held a 14-13 lead with 10:55 left in the third quarter.
The Panthers answered on their ensuing possession as Warner capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kadyn Page, giving Stone Memorial a 21-13 lead with 8:30 left in the third period.
Page’s touchdown would be the last score of the game as Stone Memorial held off the Dragons from there. York had the ball with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter near midfield, but got no further as the Panthers turned them over on downs to preserve the 21-13 win.
“We got the win and got out healthy,” said Samber. “Getting on the bus 1-0 and healthy is about all you can ask for in week one.”
Up next for the Panthers is a home game against Coalfield (0-1) next Friday while York Institute travels to White County.
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