The Panthers also had several shaky quarterback snaps, especially after senior center Jon Weller went down with a knee injury in the second quarter.
The Panthers started strong, with a long kickoff return by Perry Peterson to open the game. The line opened a big hole for Jason Jongbloedt on first down, and the junior broke loose for 10-plus yards before fumbling.
Again NRHEG forced a punt after three plays, but it was muffed by the Panthers and the Bucs took over on the NRHEG 9. Brody Boran scored three plays later and Tyler Tegmeier added the PAT.
After punting on their next possession, Trey Hoppe ended a WEM drive with an interception to give the Panthers the ball at the Bucs’ 28.
On third down, wide receiver John Cole found himself wide open near the end zone, but an underthrown halfback pass was knocked away at the last instant by a defender.
Consecutive penalties backed the Panthers up to the WEM 32 and Palmer Peterson threw an interception on the next play.
It was 7-0 at halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Panthers finally tied it early in the fourth when Palmer Peterson connected with his brother Perry for 22 yards and a touchdown. Sam Prigged kicked the PAT.
The Bucs started what would become the game winning drive from their own 15 with 9:08 remaining. Aided by a 15-yard tripping penalty on the Panthers, the Bucs also converted on third and 10 on a 15-yard quarterback keeper by Kallen Dorenkemper, who then threw 21 yards to Tegmeier and 16 yards to Mitch Wolter for a touchdown.
The Panthers’ last gasp ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down with 2:23 remaining.
The Panthers had the ball almost twice as long as the Bucs but were outgained 156-116.
Jongbloedt was NRHEG’s leading ball carrier with 24 yards on 14 attempts. Palmer Peterson completed six of 20 passes for 103 yards. Cole Staloch caught two passes for 34 yards.
Senior Zeke Erickson led a strong defensive effort for NRHEG, totaling seven tackles.
“We hope to get another shot at WEM in the playoffs,” said Stork. “We have a great bunch of kids that really play together and I am confident that we will bounce back strong.”
The Panthers host Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop at 7 p.m. Friday.
WEM 13, NRHEG 7
NRHEG 0 0 0 7 — 7
WEM 7 0 0 6 — 13
First Quarter
WEM — Boran 2 run (Tegmeier kick)
Fourth Quarter
NRHEG —Perry Peterson 23 pass from Palmer Peterson (Prigge kick
WEM — Wolter 16 pass from Dorenkamper (kick failed)
NRHEG WEM
First Downs 10 10
Rushing attempts 33 42
Yds. Rushing 13 80
Passing 6-20-1 5-18-1
Yds. Passing 103 76
Total plays 53 53
Total Yds. 116 156
Penalties 8-90 13-120
Fumbles-lost 2-2 1-1
Third down 2-16 6-16
Punts-Avg. 5-29.2 6-32.6
Time of possession 31:55 15:45
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — NRHEG: Jongbloedt 14-24; Perry Peterson 6-21; Hoppe 4-1; Palmer Peterson 3 —33; WEM: Wolter 19-37; Boran 10-29; Dorenkamper 4-7; Glende 1-7
Passing — NRHEG: Palmer Peterson 6-20-1, 103; WEM — Dorenkamper 5-18-1, 76
Receiving — NRHEG: Staloch 2-34; Perry Peterson 1-23; Agrimson 1-23; Cole 1-13; Wicks 1-10; WEM: Tegmeier 2-31; Olson 2-29; Wolter 1-16
NRHEG DEFENSE (tackles)
Erickson 7, Perry Peterson 6, Fitterer 4.5, Schultz 3.5, Hoppe 2.5 (1 interception), Jongbloedt 2.5, K.Sletten 2.5 (1 sack), Staloch 2, Palmer Peterson 2, Weller 1.5, Fischer 1.5, Buckmeier 1, Agrimson 1, Cole 1; Hermann .5
Football
South Central Blue District
Ov. Dist.
Maple River 3-0 2-0
WEM 3-0 2-0
Mayer Lutheran 2-1 2-1
NRHEG 2-1 2-1
LeSueur-Henderson 1-2 1-1
Lester Pr.-Holy Trinity 1-2 1-1
Sibley East 1-2 1-1
LCWM 0-3 0-2
Norwood-YA 0-3 0-2
GFW 0-3 0-2
— — —
Friday, Sept. 11
• Football vs. GFW, 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14
• JV football vs. GFW at Winthrop, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
• Volleyball at LeSueur-Henderson, 7:30
• 7th and 8th grade volleyball at Blooming Prairie, 4:30/5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17
• Volleyball vs. Medford, 7:15
• 7th and 8th grade football vs. Hayfield at Ellendale, 4:30
Friday, Sept. 18
• Football vs. Sibley East at Arlington, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19
• Volleyball at Mankato West Invitational, 9 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 21
• JV football vs. Sibley East, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
• Cross country invitational at Riverview Golf Course, 4:30
• Volleyball at Blooming Prairie, 7:15
• 7th and 8th grade volleyball vs. Blooming Prairie at Ellendale, 4:30/5:30 p.m.
