Berne- Eastbrook opened its season with a 28-12 victory over South Adams.  The game did not start out in a way the Panthers had hoped.  The Panthers struggled on offense to gain much of anything.  The defense hung in the first half but did give up two touchdowns.  The big help in the first half came from the leg of Phil Wood.  The punting made a big difference in the first half. 

 

The first quarter would see the teams give the ball back and forth.  South Adams would take the lead with 20 seconds left in the first quarter on a short pass from Jordan Steiner to Chris Stutzman.  The extra point was no good making the score 6-0.

 

South Adams would seeming gain control of the game in the second quarter taking a 12-0 lead on a Steiner to Darin Toland 11 yd touchdown catch.  The 2 pt conversion was no good keeping the game 12-0. 

 

South Adams looked to be in control of the game at that point.  The Panthers would turn moment just before the half.  With 20 seconds left before the half Nathan Felver would connect with Quintyn Tuterow on a screen pass.  Tuterow would race 35 yards for the touchdown.  Wood added the extra point making it 12-7 at the half.

 

The score before the half gave the Panthers some confidence going into the second half.  The second half would be all Eastbrook. 

 

The second half would see the Panthers hold the Starfires to a three and out deep in their own territory.   The Panthers would gain control at the South Adams 30 yard line.  It would only take one play for Marc Miller to race 30 yards for the score.  With the extra point the Panthers would lead 14-12. 

 

The Panther defense would step up big with Quintyn Tuterow picking off a pass.  Fourteen plays later Miller would dive in form the 1 yard line and make the score 21-0.

 

Eastbrook's defense would hold for a 3 and out again giving the offense good field position.  Felver would find Miller running underneath the coverage for his third touchdown of the game and the final margin of 28-12.

 

The game was a tail of two halves.  South Adams controlled the Panther offense with their pressure in the first half.  The Panthers forced two turnovers in the second half and allowed just 57 yards.  Depth also played a factor in the fourth quarter as Eastbrook got more push on both sides of the line.

 

Offensively Marc Miller had a stellar night for the Panthers rushing for 126 yards, receiving for 76 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns.  Kevin Fenstermaker had a big night with 12 tackles for the defense.

 

Eastbrook will play at home this friday against Western.  This should be a great rivalry going back to the days of the MIC.  Game time is set for 7:30.