Heavy rain, a top ranked running back and a bad start could not keep the Panthers from advancing on to the sectional championship game.  Eastbrook fell behind early then rode a big second quarter to a 21-14 victory over Fort Wayne Harding to advance to the sectional finals.

Harding got out of the gates to establish a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.  Zach Haydock opened the scoring on 35 yard option keeper.  The two point conversion was no good making the score 6-0.

Harding would hold Eastbrook on its first possession.  A great punt by Tanner Day would force the Hawks to start deep in their own territory.  Haydock would make another big play finding Delanyno Preston  behind everyone for a 64 yard touchdown catch and run.  Rod Smith would add the conversion to make the score 14-0.

The Panthers would start to change the momentum late in the first quarter.  A long nine play drive would be finished by Jeremy Porter-Jones running off tackle.  Day’s extra point would draw the score to 14-7.

Eastbrook would take a gamble on the next kick.  Day would place a beautiful onside kick to the right side that would be covered by Porter-Jones.  Eastbrook would tie the game up on a run from Colton Benedict.  Day and Boone Searles would have the big play on the drive connecting for a first down on a 4^th and 5 play.

Special teams would play a big part again for Eastbrook go ahead score.  Max Widmeyer would take a punt return down to the 6 yard line.  It would only take Porter-Jones one play to put the Panthers on top 21-14.

Eastbrook would threaten one more time before the half.  The Panthers would move the ball all the way to the 2 yard line before time would run out on the half.

Mother Nature would cut lose in the second half making it difficult to do anything offensively.  The weather and the Panther defense would put the clamps down on the Hawk offense holding them to just 11 yards in the second half. 

The Panthers would have multiple opportunities to put the Hawks away in the second half.  Eastbrook started every drive in Harding territory but just could not get a touchdown and breathing room.

Harding would help Eastbrook get a great chance in the third quarter.  A long punt would get called back on a penalty against the Hawks.  The second punt would bounce off blocking back and give the Panthers the ball on the Harding 20 yard line.  An interception in the endzone would end that drive.

Harding put together their best drive of the third quarter after that moving the ball out to midfield.  The Hawks would be stopped on 4^th down just short ending their last significant chance at points.

Eastbrook’s defense was fantastic in the game.  After giving up just over  160 yards in the first two possessions they held Harding to under 10 yards of total offense the rest of the way.  The Panthers held Ohio State commitment Rod Smith to his lowest total of the season of 71 yards and no touchdowns.

Alex Combs filling in for starter Jordan Hatfield led the Panthers in tackles this week with 10.  Jackson Bratcher was next with 9.   Caleb Hemmick, Boone Searles, and Gavin Pearson each had 8 tackles.