Panthers’ football drops a tough one to Highland, Ark.

After falling in their season opener to state-ranked Fair Grove in week one, the Mountain Grove Panthers’ football team was hoping to rebound and find their way into the win column for the first time this fall when they hosted the Highland, Ark. Rebels on Friday, Sep. 6.
Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to get things going much offensively early and a couple of late turnovers sealed their fate in a 14-6 defeat.
Things were looking good early as Mountain Grove’s defense forced a quick three-and-out on the Rebels’ first drive. Mountain Grove’s offense then marched nearly 60 yards into the Rebels’ 10 with the help of a 22-yard carry from Aden Estep and his 25-yard passing play to Cooper Hoerning.
With 4:05 left in the first quarter, placekicker Brayden Haughey had his field goal attempt blocked.
Highland, Ark. responded with a 31-yard passing play on the second play of their next drive.
After being stalled by a defensive stand, their field goal attempt was blocked when defensive tackle Josiah Schott pushed a Rebels’ lineman into the backfield where the ball deflected off the player.
The Panthers’ offense was unable to respond as they turned the ball over on downs near midfield.
A big 44-yard passing play set up a two-yard touchdown run. An extra-point kick gave the Rebels a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Both teams exchanged punts for most of the quarter. Haughey did pick up a sack for a nine-yard loss to force one of the Rebels’ punts.
In the third quarter, Braydon Curtiss had a big 14-yard carry.
Destin Unger would add a 22-yard run to get the ball inside the Rebels’ 10. Two plays later, Unger would then catch a pass from Estep for a 13-yard touchdown. A bad snap during the extra-point kick led to a failed two-point conversion as the Panthers trailed 7-6.
Highland, Ark. responded though with a 14-play drive after marching 85 yards and scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick pushed the lead to 14-6.
Mountain Grove’s offense tried to respond by pushing the ball into Rebels’ territory. Unfortunately, an apparent horse collar tackle was not called on a third down run, setting up a failed 4th-and-4 on the Rebels’ 40.
On the Panthers next series, they fumbled the ball away on their third play.
With 36 seconds remaining in the contest, Estep had a pass intercepted to seal the Rebels’ win.
Estep did complete five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown while adding 18 carries for 74 yards.
Curtiss added 11 carries for 47 yards and Unger tallied three catches for 36 yards and one touchdown. He also had seven carries for 41 yards.
As a team, the Panthers had 67 yards passing and 166 yards rushing for 233 total yards of offense. The Rebels tallied 171 yards passing and 143 yards rushing for 314 total yards.
Up next, Mountain Grove will travel to Ava to take on their rivals this Friday, Sep. 13.