In a see-saw game that saw the teams alternate scoring plays throughout, the United Township Panthers were unable to convert on their final opportunity, a 26-yard field goal try with less than two minutes to play, and fell at LaSalle-Peru 18-16 Friday night, in the season opener for both teams.
Isaiah Navarette had a spectacular performance for the Panthers, running for two long touchdowns and finishing with 198 yards rushing on 23 carries. He was named Godfather’s Pizza Panthers Player of the Game.
Navarette’s 53-yard score put UT up 7-0 on their opening possession. The Cavaliers’ Adrian Arzola returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to the end zone. A missed extra point left the Panthers in the lead, 7-6. Rowan Kallal added a 34-yard field goal late in the first, and the Panthers led 10-6 at the half.
L-P scored late in the third quarter to go up 12-10, with the Panthers stopping a 2-point conversion attempt. Navarette’s 80-yard scamper reclaimed the lead at 16-12 (after a missed extra point kick) with 0:52 left in the third. The Panthers had a chance to extend the lead, but lost the ball on a fumble at the Cavaliers’ 41 yard line. On the next play, freshman QB Marion Persich connected with Arzola on the go-ahead 59-yard TD. It was a rare offensive outburst for the Cavaliers, who were held to 217 total yards by the Panthers defense. It was followed by another missed extra point, leaving UT down 18-16. After an exchange of 3-and-outs, Jasiah Massey gave the Panthers a chance, returning a punt to the L-P 27 yard line. UT drove down to the 5, ended up at the 9 yard line, but Kallal’s 26-yard attempt was wide left.
The Panthers host Chicago Noble/Muchin on Friday, with an early kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Soule Bowl. We’ll have the live play-by-play coverage on QCSportsNet.com.