BURTON FOOTBALL BOUNCES BACK WITH A 17-14 WIN OVER THE HEARNE EAGLES

After a tough start to the season, the Burton Panthers bounced back last (Friday) night with a 17-14 win over the Hearne Eagles on the road.

The first half was mostly dominated by the defenses. However, Burton managed to put a touchdown on the board in the first quarter when Rueben Rodriguez scored on a one-yard run and then he also kicked the extra point to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles picked up a safety in the second quarter to cut the Burton lead to 7-2.

Hearne later scored their first touchdown in the third quarter when their QB James Benford III connected with Kelton Cooks Jr. on a 73-yard pass. The two-point conversion was no good, but the Eagles had taken the lead 8-7.

After injuries to starting quarterback K.D. Patterson and backup quarterback Isaac Matthies, Coach Jason Hodde turned to Jackson Burch. Burch, who is a freshman that was called up from the JV, was only supposed to be a backup quarterback. However, he ended up finding his way into the game.

In the fourth quarter, Burch scored on a 31-yard touchdown run, and Rodriguez added the extra point to give the Panthers a 14-8 lead.

Hearne tied it up on a 14-yard touchdown scamper by Nigel Sweed III. The two-point conversion try was no good, which made it a 14-14 game.

Burton drove down the field one more time. It all came down to the foot of Rueben Rodriguez, who kicked a game winning 26-yard field goal with seven seconds left on the clock.

The Panthers held on for the 17-14 win.

As a team, Burton finished with 238 yards rushing. Hudson Frank led the Panthers with 18 carries for 75 yards. Matthies before leaving the game had nine carries for 54 yards.

Next up, Burton will be hosting Iola on Friday night at 7pm at Panther Stadium.

PASSING

Jackson Burch 1-1, 22 yards

Rueben Rodriguez 1-1, 17 yards

RUSHING

Hudson Frank 18 carries, 75 yards

Isaac Matthies 9 carries, 54 yards

Braydon Martin 7 carries, 45 yards

Rueben Rodriguez 12 carries, 34 yards, TD

RECEIVING

Lawrence Allen 1 catch, 22 yards

Ross Roehling 1 catch, 17 yards