The Panther football team faced one of the top 2-AA teams in the state this past Friday when they hosted the Lexington Eagles. After scoring the game’s first touchdown early in the first quarter, the Panthers were poised for an upset. However, Lexington’s defense adjusted and stifled the Panther offense, while the Eagle’s offense put together a relentless ground game picking up over 200 yards and leading Lexington to their second win of the year.

In the opening quarter of play, Blanco’s offense looked strong putting together a 6 play 39 yard drive to take an early lead on a Tanner Rogers’ 16 yard run and a TJ Raby PAT. While the Panthers moved the ball early with some success, Lexington adjusted again as the game played on and eventually shut down Blanco’s running game. In the second quarter, fans finally saw the Eagles put together their first scoring drive of the night resulting in a Kogan Garrett 2 yard run. Anthony Martinez added the extra point sending both teams to half time knotted at 7.

As the second half began, the Panthers’ offense could not drive the ball on Lexington’s defense, which forced 8 punts on the night. However, the Eagles’ offense finally woke up, producing TD’s in the third and fourth quarters on a 26 yard pass play from Josh Murray to Anthony Robbins and then a 3 yard run from Xavier Ward. Martinez was successful on one of the two PAT’s giving the Eagles a 20 to 7 lead. The Panthers, however, managed to cut into the Eagles lead when QB Tanner Rogers connected with Kyle Garrow on a 51 yard pass play. Raby added his second PAT of the night to give the Panthers life at 20 to 14. However, after turning the ball over on downs, all hopes were dashed for the Panthers when Martinez converted a 30 yard field goal to give Lexington a 23 to 14 lead and eventually their second win of the season.

For the game, Blanco picked up only 8 first downs while being held to 136 yards in total offense. QB Tanner Rogers led the offense completing passes to Travis McClinton, Gavin Garrow, Grant Weaver, Quinn Dillard, Jordan Handberry, Grady Childress and Kyle Garrow.

Defensively, the Panthers forced 3 turnovers and 4 punts in addition to limiting the Eagles to 13 first downs.

Blanco will go on the road this week as they travel to Somerset to take on one of the area’s top offensive teams. Both teams are currently 1-1 after losses this past week. Kick-off is set for 7:30pm.