The Gold Beach High School Panther football program started their 2022/23 season with a decisive win in their season opener at home last week against Blanchet Catholic, and head coach Chris Higgins and his team took to the road Friday evening looking to challenge Nestucca Bobcats in Lincoln City, and continue to win.
The Panthers wasted no time jumping out to an early lead after junior quarterback Jake Westerman, #7, hit junior tight end, #82, Zane Gray for a Gold Beach touchdown from 5 yards out. Westerman would add a 54 yard run for a second Panther score to take a 0-14 lead before the Bobcats would get on the board in the first quarter.
After another long run from quarterback Jake Westerman, the Panthers would take a comfortable 0-22 lead into the second period of play. The Bobcats would tighten their defense, turning the period into a defensive contest while holding the explosive Panther offense to just one score after Westerman hit junior wider receiver Zane Gibson for an 18 yard touchdown, and a 6-30 lead at the half-time break.
Gold Beach senior tight end Chase Sprinkle, #87, would catch another 10 yard Westerman pass to add another score in the second half and establish the second Panther win in a row to start this season. Gold Beach ran for 339 yards and passed for another 62 for 401 total yards of offense, but the back story is the Panther defense, who held the Bobcats to only 240 total yards of offense and just two touchdowns to now, the second team in a row.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and their will to compete” head coach Chris Higgins said after the game. “We still have many big challenges ahead of us this season and I’m excited to see what we have built come to life. Now being Ranked #2 in the state has its pros and its cons… and this team will have to work harder than ever to have their dreams become a reality this season. We are looking forward to seeing that come alive.”
