Willow falls to the Panthers

The Willow Springs Bears fought the Mountain Grove Panthers on Friday evening during the Panthers’ Homecoming. The Bears’ record is now 2-2 after a 50-6 loss. 

The Panther defense and offense were the perfect storm to stop any play by the Bears. However, Gavin Ferguson, Ryan Koehler, and Taylor Rothermich still managed to break through.

Ferguson tricked his way through the Panther's defensive line on their 40-yard line and was nearing a touchdown when a Mountain Grove player grabbed his jersey from the neck and yanked him back. Multiple flags were called, but the touchdown was still no good.

Rothermich caught an impressive 40-yard pass which was good for the Bear's first down and paved the way for Ryan Koehler's touchdown. 

Koehler scored an outstanding touchdown towards the last half. Willow was on the fourth down with the ball in the middle. Koehler snagged a 40-yard pass and ran it for a touchdown. 

On defense, Gennadiy Dudko stood out, stopping two plays by sacking the players right as the play started. Dudko was also the leading blocker when Willow stonewalled the Panther's offense on their own 17-yard line.

Coach Travis Payne was happy with the outcome.

''We had a couple kids leave everything on the field and give everything they had,” Coach Payne said. “We are working on getting everyone to play with that attitude this week.''

The Bears will host the Liberty Eagles this Friday at 7:00 p.m. on Palenske Field. Liberty is hot off a win against SCA powerhouse the Ava Bears with a record of 4-0.