PHS football trounces Riverton

Posted 9/23/08

“It was good to get the win, but I didn't think we looked as sharp as we did against Buffalo a week earlier,” said PHS head coach Jim Stringer. “I didn't think we played with the same level of intensity, and there were some little …

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PHS football trounces Riverton

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{gallery}9_23_08/trevordonarski{/gallery} Panthers Trevor Donarski (left), Cody Kalberer (34) and Drewe Metzler (right) stop Riverton running back Derek Miller (13) for a short gain during Powell's 34-6 homecoming victory against the Wolverines. Panthers wallop the Wolverines This week's catch phrase for Powell High School's homecoming matchup with Riverton was “Wallop the Wolverines,” and the Panthers did just that by claiming a 34-6 decision Friday night. During the contest, the Panther offense was a shining example of balance as it carved its way through the Class 5A Wolverines for 147 yards rushing and 147 yards passing. Of PHS's five touchdowns, three came through the air. The other scores came courtesy of the Panthers' rushing attack. Whereas Powell's offense clicked, particularly in the second half, the defense was equally as effective. Riverton was held to to just 82 total yards and two first downs. Thirty-one of those yards came on 23 rushing attempts, and the remaining 51 yards for the Wolverines came on a six-of-18 passing performance. Powell's defense and special teams also forced five turnovers, including three interceptions..

“It was good to get the win, but I didn't think we looked as sharp as we did against Buffalo a week earlier,” said PHS head coach Jim Stringer. “I didn't think we played with the same level of intensity, and there were some little details that we didn't take care of (against Riverton). We looked sharp in practice, but during game situations we looked a little befuddled and a little shaky. I'm not sure why, but we looked shaky on some things that we've been doing pretty well during the previous two or three weeks.”

With that said, Stringer noted the Panthers' passing game did a solid job of taking advantage of taking what the Riverton defense was giving. He also said he was impressed by the defense, led by defensive coordinator Mike Heny.

“I thought we did pretty well when it came to taking advantage of Riverton's defense,” Stringer said. “We got two of our passing touchdowns on flag routes and one on a slant underneath. We were able to identify what Riverton was doing, and I thought the passing game, for the most part, did a good job of taking what the defense was giving us.

“As for the defense, our guys didn't give up much yardage. Riverton did get a score late, but by that time we had gone the JV route. A big reason they were able to get into the end zone was because of a botched snap by our offense that gave them a short field to work with.”

Though the game ended with a 28-point spread, it did take PHS more than a quarter to reach the end zone. Playing without senior lineman Zach Wagner, who was lost to a knee injury early in the contest, the Panthers got their first score on a six-yard strike from Galen Mills to Gavin Mills with just less than seven minutes remaining before halftime. Drayson Bratt added the PAT to cap the 65-yard march.

The Mills twins hooked up for another six-yard touchdown throw and catch with 7:58 left to play in the third quarter. Bratt's PAT put the finishing touches on the 77-yard scoring drive.

During the fourth quarter, Galen Mills threw his third six-yard touchdown pass of the game, this time to Ryan Brandt at the 10:33 mark. That score was set up by none other than Galen Mills, who gave PHS a first down at Riverton's 15. Following Brandt's touchdown reception, Bratt's PAT extended PHS's lead to 21-0.

Shortly after moving ahead by three touchdowns, Powell was the beneficiary of a forced fumble by Trent Gillett. Rustin Myrick recovered the ball to put Powell at Riverton's 23. Three plays later, Galen Mills cashed in on the Riverton miscue by scoring on a six-yard run. Bratt converted the PAT to increase PHS's lead to 28-0 with 9:40 left to play.

The Panthers' final score of the night came on a 25-yard run by Gavin Mills on a reverse. Powell's PAT attempt failed, but the Panthers were cruising with 5:49 to play, leaving Riverton with a 34-0 deficit.

The Wolverines' lone touchdown came after a PHS turnover at the Panther 37. Facing a short field, Riverton quickly drove the ball into the Panthers' red zone. The scoring drive was capped by Brandon Jennings, who scored from seven yards out.

Powell finished the game with 147 yards on 49 attempts. Galen Mills led the way with 59 yards on 16 carries. He was followed by Harshman's 29 yards on 15 carries, and Gavin Mills' 25 yards on one attempt.

Galen Mills, in the passing department, finished with nine completions, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 19 attempts for 147 yards.

Gavin Mills was on the receiving end of five passes for 90 yards. Brandt added two catches for 30 yards. Harshman finished with one catch for 18 yards.

Defensively, Trevor Donarksi led PHS with 19 defensive points. Matt Kifer had 15 defensive points, and Matt McArthur finished with 10. Kifer, Galen Mills and Trent Gillette each had one interception, and Gavin Mills and Rustin Myrick each had one fumble recovery.

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