MADRID — Class 1A fifth-ranked Madrid rushed 63 times for 349 yards and four touchdowns in scoring a 35-6 win over Panorama Friday in the District 6 opener for both teams.
The Tigers (3-0, 1-0) were led on the ground by Michael Santi and Wyatt Smith. The former ran 17 times for 126 yards and one score while the latter carried 19 times for 122 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Aaron Sperling but the ball up four times, completing three passes — all to Santi — for 67 yards as the hosts compiled 416 yards of total offense in a steady rain.
While the Panorama defense surrendered over 400 yards they did what Madrid’s first two opponents could not do — prevent scores from long range. The longest of Smith’s three TD runs was for five yards, with Santi scoring from 14 yards out. The remaining Tiger score came on one of Santi’s two interceptions and covered 53 yards.
The game was close throughout the first half, with Madrid leading, 8-0, after one quarter and holding a 16-0 advantage at the half.
Panorama closed their deficit to 16-6 when Brody Rickheim broke loose and scampered 21 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter.
Madrid countered with a score to lead, 22-6, after three frames, then added a pair of scores in the final 12 minutes to pull away for the victory.
Landon Burke had 8.5 tackles, Bryce Dean eight and Jayden Moore seven to lead the Tigers, with Burke and Moore each making three tackles for loss. Sperling, Moore and Jake Woodworth all recovered fumbles for the hosts.
Panorama (2-1, 0-1) rushed for 157 yards on 32 attempts. Gunnar Grunsted (7-64), Luke South (10-33) and Rickheim (9-29, 1 TD) led the charge, with Blaine Barber gaining 17 yards on four carries while Trey Cobb lost eight yards on one rush.
South finished 2-of-7 for 24 yards while being intercepted twice to account for the Panther aerial game. Levi Leiferman had one catch for 27 yards, with Rickheim losing three yards on one reception.
Cobb’s 11 tackles led Panorama’s defense, with Grunsted making seven stops, Garrett Simmons six and Jeremy Randol 5.5, with Randol falling on a Tiger fumble.
Panther fans: ThePerryNews.com is looking for someone to submit three of four photos from Panorama football games. Call Sports Editor Jeff Webster at 515-537-3992 or email to: websterjeff47@gmail.com if you, or someone you know, is willing to help. Thank you!
