BRADFORD — Tri-County North didn’t let the sting of losing its first conference game of the season last week to Covington linger.
The Panthers rebounded Friday, Sept. 22, with over 400 yards of offense en route to picking up its third win of the season — a 38-0 blanking of host Bradford.
Tri-County North has been one of the top powers in the CCC in recent years, and the Panthers showed their ability early on Friday night.
Tri-County North took the opening possession 61 yards in six plays with Mason Dreischarf scoring on a 25-yard run. After Bradford’s first possession ended with fumble that was recovered by North’s Wyatt Hutchins, the Panthers needed just three plays to cover 32 yards with Dreischarf scoring his second touchdown of the night on an 18-yard run, making it 12-0 less than five minutes into the contest.
After two quick scores, the Panthers were more methodical during their third possession and used almost six minutes off the clock as they marched 79 yards in 11 plays for another touchdown. This time Hutchins caught a 17-yard pass from Brian Stinson to put the Panthers up 18-0 early in the second quarter.
Bradford stiffened up on defense the rest of the half, forcing a turnover on downs and then a turnover with a fumble recovery by the Railroaders’ Josiah Brewer.
Tri-County North scored on its first possession of the second half with Dreischarf taking a handoff 86 yards for his third touchdown of the night. The next Panther possession ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by Josh Heindl to make it 30-0.
Tri-County North scored the game’s final points early in the fourth quarter. Philip Lockwood scored on a 1-yard run then Stinson connected with Cooper Cole for the 2-point conversion for the 38-0 final score.
Stinson completed 13-of-19 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown for Tri-County North. Hutchins caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, Dreischarf caught two for 51 yards, and Casey Whipp caught one for 32.
Dreischarf led the Panthers’ on the ground with 150 yards and three touchdowns on six carries. Heindl had seven carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Lockwood ran six times for 31 yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the CCC with the win.
Tri-County North will host National Trail (2-3, 1-2 CCC) Friday, Sept. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
