The Pinckneyville offensive line controlled the trenches, as the Panthers ran the ball 47 times for 225 yards to double up West Frankfort (0-2) 28-14 Friday night for the team’s first win of the season.
“Our offensive line did a great job of opening up holes, and our running backs ran the ball hard,” said Pinckneyville coach Tod Rushing. “Our blocking was the difference in the game. We were able to put scoring drives together and keep West Frankfort’s offense off the field. Sophomore quarterback Dalton Hubler did a nice job of running the offense, and he kept things calm for us.”
Neither team scored in the first quarter and Pinckneyville got on the scoreboard first with a eight-yard touchdown run by Neil Kellerman. Caleb Howard added the extra point, and with 10:45 left in the second quarter, the Panthers led 7-0.
West Frankfort answered back just under five minutes later as Addison Eggertsen tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass. However, the extra point kick failed, and Pinckneyville held a slim 7-6 lead at the break.
Just 57 seconds into the second half, Adam Barczewski picked off a pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. Kellerman ran in the two-point conversion, as the Panthers’ lead increased to 15-6.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Pinckneyville padded its margin with a one-yard touchdown run by Howard. The kick failed, and with 11:57 left to play in the game, the Panthers led 21-6.
Eggertsen tossed his second touchdown pass of the game, this time for 23 yards, to keep his team close. The Eagles added the two-point conversion as they drew closer, down 21-14 with 7:30 left in the ball game.
The Panthers put the game away with a eight-yard touchdown run by Kellerman, his second of the game, with only 2:09 remaining in the game. Howard added the extra point for the final score of 28-14.
Kellerman finished the game with a team high 66 yards rushing on nine attempts, while J.D. Connor added 52 yards on the ground.
Pinckneyville improved to (1-1) with the victory. The Panthers will host Benton (1-1) Friday night.