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SportsMonday, August 27, 2007 11:16 PM CDT
Pontiac football overcomes weather to edge rival Morris
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MORRIS — Despite a 24-hour delay caused by torrential rains, the Pontiac High School football team had to contend with both perennial powerhouse Morris and still sloppy field conditions to record a 16-13 nonconference win Saturday.

Morris came out of the gate flying, returning the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.

Pontiac countered on the next series when fullback Alex Smith blasted in from two yards out. Quarterback Michael Panno’s two-yard conversion run gave the Indians an 8-7 lead after one quarter.

Morris regained the lead in the third quarter, scoring on a 5-yard touchdown pass, but failed on the conversion to go up 13-8.

Pontiac (1-0) took the lead for good when Panno hit Kendrique Coats with a 36-yard scoring strike. Panno then found Patrick Miller open for the two-point conversion and a 16-13 Indians lead.

Morris had a chance to tie the game with a 32-yard field goal attempt with 48 seconds remaining. But Pontiac was able to pressure the kicker and force a miss to the left to preserve the win.

Pontiac generated 194 yards in total offense with Panno leading the way both in the air and on the ground. The junior quarterback threw for 82 yards on 6-of-9 passing with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding 54 yards rushing.

The Indians held Morris (0-1) to 151 total yards with 150 of those coming on the ground.

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

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Reader comments on this story - 8 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Indian Fan wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:22 AM:

" Panno did a great job for us. I think he's going to do great things this year! "

FB Fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:24 PM:

" Wasn't Coach Young who led the Indians to a second place finish in state a few years ago while Coach Peterson was suspended for recruiting? "

pontiac fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:01 PM:

" Put Pat Miller back as quarterback, not Panno, he can wait till next year! "

Pontiac fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 3:07 PM:

" Finally a coach that knows how to beat Morris! Keep it up! Congrats. "

Pontiac fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 2:13 PM:

" Congratulations players and Coach Young on your first victory! Way to beat Morris, now keep it going with all of the Cornbelt! We have faith in all of you! Best of luck on a great season! "

GREAT JOB wrote on Aug 27, 2007 12:57 PM:

" KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK PLAYERS&OACH YOUNG ANSD ALL YOUR ASSIISTANT COACHS "

Lexington Fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:14 AM:

" Good job Pontiac. We also got us a new Coach....Oh Yeah....FINALLY!!! "

Pontiac Fan wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:29 AM:

" Are you ready for some football? Congratulations Pontiac. Congratulations Coach Young. Got us a new Coach.......Oh yeah.......finally. "

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