Panthers’ football gets past Houston to keep SCA title hopes alive

Behind a rushing attack that gained more than 370 yards on Friday, Oct. 18, the Mountain Grove Panthers’ football team was just too much for Houston in a 41-20 victory on Senior Night.
The win sets the Panthers up for a showdown with Thayer this Friday, Oct. 25 where a win would help Mountain Grove wrap up a South Central Association (SCA) Conference title.
A victory though will not be easy as the Bobcats are 7-1 this season, with their only loss coming to Liberty (Mountain View).
They did crush Ava two weeks ago by 26 points and are coming off a 47-0 win over Willow Springs last Friday night.
Against Houston, the Panthers’ defense set the tone early when Aiden Barbe blocked a Tigers’ punt that was scooped up by Eli Golden and returned 10 yards for a touchdown.
Mountain Grove’s Aiden Estep then took a snap on an extra-point kick attempt and ran it in for a two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
The Tigers’ rushing attack did have some success on their second possession as they marched the ball to Mountain Grove’s 25.
That was when Jacob Crosco tipped a pass that was intercepted by Aiden Barbe.
Mountain Grove took advantage by marching 62 yards on 14 plays and scoring on Cooper Hoerning’s 19-yard touchdown run. Brayden Haughey’s extra-point kick pushed the Panthers’ lead to 15-0.
After the defense forced Houston to go three-and-out, Estep connected with Destin Unger for a 34-yard passing play. One play later, Estep scored on a 32-yard touchdown run. A failed two-point conversion attempt kept the Panthers in front 21-0.
The Tigers took the ensuing kickoff deep into Mountain Grove territory as Haughey saved a touchdown.
The Tigers would score though four plays later on a two-yard touchdown run. A good extra-point kick cut into the Panthers’ lead, 21-7.
Braydon Curtiss took over from there however as he followed a 24-yard carry with a 28-yard touchdown run to help Mountain Grove’s offense answer in just two plays. Haughey’s extra-point kick pushed the lead to 28-7.
The Tigers’ offense responded with a 25-yard passing play followed a few plays later by a 19-yard touchdown pass. A good kick closed the gap back to 28-14 just before halftime.
At the half, Mountain Grove’s offense had 34 yards passing and 167 yards rushing for 201 total yards of offense. Houston’s offense did gain 54 yards in the air and 101 yards on the ground for 155 total yards.
Mountain Grove received the ball to start the second half and were hoping to add some more points on the board. Unfortunately, Hoerning was stripped of the ball in Tigers’ territory as Houston recovered on their own 10.
The Tigers’ offense put a long drive together, getting the ball to the Panthers’ 25 before turning the ball over on downs.
Two plays later, a determined Hoerning ran past Tigers’ defenders for a 68-yard touchdown run. Haughey’s kick put Mountain Grove in front, 35-14.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers’ offense pulled away as Curtiss had a 29-yard run and Unger added a 17-yard carry. Curtiss would then score from two yards out as Mountain Grove led 41-14 after a failed kick.
Houston added a late touchdown, but Jaxyn Proctor recovered an onside kick attempt to shut the door on any Tigers’ late rally.
Mountain Grove’s offense finished with 34 yards passing and 372 on the ground for 406 total yards of offense.
Houston had 123 yards passing and 209 on the ground for 332 yards.
Curtiss finished the game with 17 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Hoerning had six carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Unger added four carries for 50 yards and one catch for 34 yards.
Estep tallied 15 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown. He was also 1-of-3 passing for 34 yards.