PANORA — The game was every bit as good as could have been expected Friday as top-ranked and defending Class A runner-up Grundy Center edged 1A host and sixth-rated Panorama, 20-14.
“You never feel great about a loss, but overall I think we saw a lot of good things from our team,” Panorama head coach Mike Kauzlarich said. “As typical early in the season there are things we need to fix if we want to achieve our goals throughout the season.”
The season began with a bang as Matt Jansen returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a Spartan touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers responded immediately, with Drew Taylor pulling in a TD pass from Dominic Walker. Taylor’s PAT tied the score, where it remained until Zach Opheim scored on a short run to give the guests a 13-7 lead at the intermission.
Taylor pulled in 25-yard TD aerial as the hosts went ahead, 14-13, in the third quarter, only to see Opheim score on the ground for a second time as the guests went up, 20-14.
Neither team found the end zone in the fourth quarter, leaving the Spartans with a well and hard-earned win.
“Our defense played well, and Lucas Leiferman had an unbelievable game with three interceptions and a forced fumble,” Kauzlarich said. “He is a senior, and he will need to continue to produce to help us be successful this year.”
Kauzlarich also praised the pass protection of the Panther offensive line, noting the team attempted 28 passes without yielding a sack.
Dominic Walker was 14-of-28 for 241 yards. He tossed two TDs and was intercepted once and carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards.
Drew Taylor caught five balls for 126 yards and two scores, one of them on an acrobatic, one-handed catch with a defender draped all over him.
Preston Walker caught three passes for 67 yards, with Evan Taylor (2-21), Hunter Pauley (2-14), Leiferman (1-13) and Jack Weinkoetz (1-0) also pulling in aerials.
Wyatt Clark (3-4), Preston Walker (1 for minus-3) and Pauley (2 for minus 5) accounted for the other Panther rushers.
The hosts passed for 241 yards and ran for 32 while the guests threw for 63 yards and ran for 185.
Trent Hambleton led the Panorama defense with 7.5 tackles, with Drew Taylor making 6.5 stops, Dominic Walker five, Cooper Andersen five, Evan Taylor four and Wyatt Appleseth 3.5 tackles. Appleseth and Drew Taylor each recorded a sack.
Logan Knaack was 5-of-15 for 63 yards and was picked off — each time by Leiferman — three times. He added 61 rushing yards on eight hauls.
Opheim was the ground game leader, amassing 148 yards and two TDs on 28 carries.
“We knew Grundy Center would be a great team and they did not disappoint,” Kauzlarich said. “We fumbled the ball going in to score one time and allowed the opening kick to be returned and that was a major difference in what was a very tight game!”
Panorama takes to the road to face 2A Clarinda Friday. Clarinda lost, 28-13, to host Treynor to open their season. The Panthers and Cardinals met last season, with Panorama posting a 33-3 victory.
