Panthers special season ends in state quarterfinals

The Mountain Grove Panthers dream football season came to an end at home on Saturday, Nov. 22 when they lost to powerhouse Seneca, 47-14, in the Class 3 state quarterfinals.
One week after defeating Clever to claim the Class 3, District 5 crown, the Panthers ended their season one game short of the Final Four with a 10-2 record.
The Indians, who finished second in the state the past two seasons, opened the game as a team on a mission. They marched 54 yards on just four plays and quickly scored on a seven-yard touchdown run.
A short kickoff was caught by Joey Hickcox, who had a good return until he fumbled the ball that was recovered on the Panthers’ 43.
Seneca then scored on a 43-yard touchdown pass, and with a second extra-point kick, led 14-0 just under three minutes into the contest.
Mountain Grove’s offense ended up punting the ball on their first possession and the Indians’ offense struck again.
A big 32-yard passing play was followed by a 37-yard touchdown run. A failed extra-point kick kept the score at 20-0.
In need of some momentum, the Panthers’ offense responded with a 59-yard scoring drive.
Kaden Murphy picked up 29 yards on a carry two plays before quarterback Aden Estep connected with Bret Gardner on a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Dameon Martin’s extra-point kick closed the gap to 20-7.
In need of a defensive stop, the Panthers forced the Indians to go three-and-out after Braydon Curtiss’ sack for a six yard loss.
Unfortunately, Mountain Grove’s offense also went three-and-out and Seneca’s offense would once again put together a scoring drive.
This time they went 75 yards on seven plays and finished it off with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Aydon Barbe made a tackle to stop a two-point conversion, keeping the score at 26-7.
After the Panthers’ offense was stopped on another drive, the Indians then gained more momentum with a 51-yard carry.
Four plays later they scored on a seven-yard touchdown run. A good extra-point kick pushed the lead to 33-7.
The Panthers’ offense responded with Estep hitting Murphy for a 19-yard passing play to get the ball near midfield on its next drive.
With a 4th-and-15, the Panthers executed a fake punt as Estep hit Murphy for 22 yards and a first down.
The drive would end with Estep’s interception inside the 5 as Seneca took their big lead into halftime.
Mountain Grove had 61 yards passing and 70 yards rushing for 131 total yards of offense.
Meanwhile, Seneca tallied 75 yards in the air and 178 on the ground for 253 total yards.
The Panthers started the second half with the ball and a good drive could get them back in the game. Unfortunately, it resulted in a punt at midfield.
Two plays later, the Indians connected with a 70-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point kick pushed the lead to 40-7.
Seneca would soon add a 48-yard touchdown pass to go up 40 and turn the mercy clock on.
With the Indians’ JV defense in the game, the Panthers would look to get back on the scoreboard with a 69-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter that felt like many of their drives during their 10-2 season.
There were four carries of at least six yards or more before a fifth carry went for 34 yards on Estep’s long touchdown run. Martin’s extra-point kick made the score 47-14.
Seneca would run out the clock to hold on for the win. The Indians had 204 yards passing and 241 on the ground for 445 total yards of offense.
Mountain Grove had 61 yards passing and 182 on the ground for 243 total yards. Offensively, Estep had 61 yards passing. He also had eight carries for 35 yards and one touchdown. Curtiss tallied 19 carries for 74 yards; Eli Golden had 10 carries for 30 yards and one catch for 19 yards; while Murphy tallied five carries for 43 yards along with one catch for 22 yards.
Bret Gardner had his one catch for 20 yards and one touchdown.