Photo by Josh Zelinsky

LANSFORD — Panther Valley football coach Mark Lavine’s game plan Friday night was simple.

Utilize the Panthers’ versatility to keep Shenandoah Valley’s defense guessing.

The game plan worked as the Panthers used eight different ballcarriers en route to a 35-8 victory over the Blue Devils in a Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game at Panther Valley High School Stadium.

The Panthers started off the game hot. On the first play quarterback Brody Breiner threw a beautiful pass to senior wide receiver Gavin Yurichek, who took it for 60 yards and a touchdown.

After a fumble by the Blue Devils, the Panthers got the ball back.

Breiner would contribute in the next two touchdown plays for the Panthers. The first came on a 4-yard quarterback keeper, the second one a 10-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Ben Baneravage.

Breiner finished the night 8-for-11 passing for 124 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a score.

Rushing touchdowns from Marcus Rodriguez and Baneravage in the second quarter gave the Panthers a 35-0 halftime lead.

The Panthers had a quiet second half, giving many of their backups some offensive snaps to gain some valuable experience.

Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, the big deficit would be too difficult to come back from. However, they did get on the board on a 78-yard run by junior running back Mike Elchisak, who finished the night with 10 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The victory improves Panther Valley to 3-5 overall and 3-4 in Blue Division play and enhances their District 11 Class 3A playoff positioning. The Panthers go on the road next week to face Mahanoy Area (1-7).

For Shenandoah Valley (0-8, 0-7 Blue), the Blue Devils finish the regular season with two home games: next week against Williams Valley and Week 10 against Mahanoy Area.

Game Summary

Panther Valley 35, Shenandoah Valley 8

SV (0-8, 0-7)         0          0          0          8  —    8

PV (3-5, 3-4)          21          14          0          0  —    35

PV — Yurichek 60 pass from Breiner (Kick failed)

PV — Breiner 4 run (McArdle run)

PV — Baneravage 10 pass from Breiner (Williams kick)

PV — M. Rodriguez 3 run (Williams kick)

PV — Baneravage 18 run (Williams kick)

SV — Elchisak 78 run (Burrous pass from Bench)

Team Statistics

SV-PV

First Downs —- 3      12

Rushes-Yards — 16-119      34-194

Passes —- 4-12-0      8-11-0

Passing Yards —- 19      124

Total Yards —- 138     318

Fumbles/Lost —- 2-1      1-0

Penalties — 1-5      3-25

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Shenandoah Valley — Elchisak 10-13, Getz 2-5, Bench 1-5, Sinkus 1-3, White 1-2, Reyes 1-1. Panther Valley — M. Rodriguez 12-63, Nunez 4-74, Breiner 6-32, Baneravage 1-18, Rolon 5-3, Jones 4-2, G. Rodriguez 2-2, Wilson 1-0.

PASSING: Shenandoah Valley — Bench 4-12-0, 19. Panther Valley — Breiner 8-11-0, 124.

RECEIVING: Shenandoah Valley — Burrous 2-5, Elchisak 1-7, Czerny 1-7. Panther Valley — Yurichek 4-72, McArdle 2-33, Baneravage 2-19.

INTERCEPTIONS: None