HEMPFIELD TWP, Pa. — The Franklin Regional Panthers (2-0, 1-0) walked into Spartan Stadium and trounced the Hempfield Area Spartans (0-2, 0-0) in a non-conference matchup by the score of 49-26. The Panthers used a dominate first half to jump out to a two possession lead and they never looked back.
The game started out with three-and-outs from each team but on the Panthers second drive of the game, their offense went 68 yards on 12 plays to kick off the scoring. That drive was capped off on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Chase Lemke.
The Spartans answered the score with one of their own as quarterback Dominic Detruf, who is playing in his first game in around a year, hit Nicholas Marquis for a 65-yard touchdown. On the play, Marquis streaked up the seam unguarded and hauled in the lob around the 30-yard line and ran the rest of the way for the Spartans’ touchdown.
The Panthers scored two second-quarter touchdowns to pull away from the Spartans before halftime. Running back Kyle Dupill scored two of his three total touchdowns in the half as he racked up 83 first-half rushing yards.
The Spartans looked to fight back in the second half and scored on the opening drive of the half after Detruf connected on a couple of chunk passes to his receiver before hitting Aidan Stinebiser for a 3-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jaymeir Austin, a junior cornerback who has received multiple Division I offers, went 82 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. The return touchdown re-extended the Panthers lead to two possessions as they claimed a 28-13 lead.
Each team scored again before the conclusion of the third quarter but on the drive that the Spartans needed to capitalize on, the Panthers forced an errand throw and interception.
In the fourth quarter, the Panthers iced the game on an 11-yard scoring connection between Lemke and Austin Kerns with just over six and a half minutes left in the game. Then to add insult to injury, the Spartans tossed a pick-six on the next drive.
Next week, the Panthers will travel to Upper Saint Clair for their third straight road game to open the season. As for the Spartans, they will travel to Kiski to take on the Cavaliers next week.
