Panthers Ground Attack Lifts Offense in 32-20 Win

Athletic Director Chuck Bennin (right) and superintendent Keith Kranke present a plaque to Mary O'Connor during the dedication of Pickford's new skybox in memory of her husband, Ken "Zeke" O'Connor. Members of the family pictured include (from right, after Mrs. O'Connor) Billy O'Connor, Duke O'Connor, Josh O'Connor, Logan O'Connor, Dan O'Connor, and Barry and Mary O'Connor.

The offense has been dominated by the ground attack during the first three years of Head Coach Josh Rader's career in Pickford, and this year, after the first game, the Panthers continued the tradition, racking up 344 rushing yards during a 32-20 Mid-Eastern Football League win over the Rapid River Rockets Friday, August 24.

At halftime, Pickford High School dedicated its new skybox in memory of Ken O'Connor, who taught and coached there for 22 years (1954 to 1976) and led the Panthers basketball team to a Class D runner-up title in 1965.

The Panthers' four touchdowns came by the ground game, as Kyle Barry opened up the game with touchdown runs of three and one yards, while Paul Walsh added one two-point conversion and McKinley Portice and Dylan Rye combined for the second conversion, for a 16-0 lead at the 10:50 mark of the second quarter.

The new skybox at Panthers Field with this plaque dedicating the new facility in memory of Ken "Zeke" O'Connor.

Rapid River answered with two touchdowns to cut the Panthers' lead to 16-14, with 6:48 left in the second quarter.

One minute later, Barry scored his third touchdown on a 54-yard run. The senior added a two-point conversion for a 24-14, but the Rockets closed out the first half with a score for a 24-20 mark at halftime.

Richard Gibson completed the Panthers' scoring with a 10-yard score at 8:18 of the third quarter. Rye notched the two-point conversion for a 12-point lead that held on as the Pickford defense dominated the remainder of the game.

Panthers Offense: Kyle Barry, 210 yards on 25 carries; Paul Walsh 122 yards on 15 attempts, one reception for 20 yards; Richard Gibson, 20 yards one 11 carries; McKinley Portice, one completion on eight attempts.

Panthers Defense: Mickael Cantin, eight tackles; Barry, seven tackles; Derrick Leese, Joe Jenkins, and Barry, six tackles; Matt Rose, Jordan Potter, and Portice, four tackles; Zach Mortinsen and Walsh (pass interception), three tackles; and Ben Eckola, Shawn Rader, Josh Kibble, and Gibson, one tackle.

Pickford will travel to Brimley to battle the Bays in a Mid-Eastern Football League contest Friday, August 31.