The Gold Beach Panther varsity football team was on the road Friday evening, traveling to Rogue River to challenge the 2 -3 Rogue River High School Cheiftains.
The Panthers came into the contest undefeated, riding a top a 5 game win streak and packing one of the most potent offenses in the league.
Gold Beach dominated from the opening kick-off, putting up 20 points in the opening quarter of play. Junior quarterback Jake Westerman, #7 led the way one again, running for 26 and 12 yard touchdowns in the period. An early 1st period fumble recovery by the Panthers Tanner Wright would set the tone for the Panther defense, ending an early confidence building Cheiftain drive.
With a 20-0 lead early, the Panther defense smothered the Rogue River offense, allowing only 64 yards of Cheiftan offense through the air, and an even more impressive 14 yards on the ground in the entire game.
Westerman would run for another touchdown in the 2nd quarter, covering 73 yards and senior Landyn Miller, #12, would add on with two rushing touchdowns of his own in the period. The Cheiftan defense would get on the board in the 2nd period, recovering a Gold Beach Fumble and returning it 72 yards for Rogue Rivers only points in the game, giving the Panthers a 42-6 lead at the half-time break.
In the 3rd quarter the defense remained too tough for the Cheiftan offense, and the Panthers continued to roll. Westerman added two more touchdowns and 63 yards of offense to his total after running for 57 and 6 yard touchdowns in the period and senior Austin Westerman, #88, found the endzone in the final period to complete the Panther scoring onslaught, sending the Panthers home with a 60-6 win.
The Panther offense racked up 518 yards of total offense in the game, rushing for 483 yards, of which, 234 yards Jake Westerman, #7, was responsible for. Defensively, the Cheiftains were never allowed to believe they had a chance as the Panther allowed only 78 yards of total offense and 6 Rogue River points in the game.
“Missing our starting running-back, #11 senior, Nelson Wilstead for a couple weeks, the team showed up to play right from the start today.” coach Higgins said after the game. “Our offense is hitting on all cylinders right now and our defense is standing out for which our defensive coordinator deserves recognition, designing a game plan shutting down one of the best rushers in the state Friday night.”
The Panthers continue their march to post-season play on the road once again this Friday, traveling to Illinois Valley to take on the 1-3 Cougars at 7:00pm.
