Victory over West Lafayette sends Panthers to sectional final against weak Frankton team

This article is brought to you by Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo Region.

The Western Panthers virtually punched their ticket to a sectional title on Oct. 24 by downing the West Lafayette Red Devils, 20-14, in Russiaville. The win earned them a trip to Frankton High School tonight to face an Eagles team that has only found success against winless squads this season.

While there was plenty of Panthers offense to watch in the sectional opener, fans had to wait until the second quarter for either team to find the endzone. Western struck paydirt first, but the two teams traded scores as West Lafayette evened the tally before the Panthers put up another touchdown to restore their lead.

Western took that 14-7 margin into the fourth quarter, when the two teams traded touchdowns again. Failing a conversion, the Panthers led 20-14. It proved to be enough as the Western defense held off a final effort from the Red Devils and then ran out the clock for the win.

The story of the game -- the reason for a Panthers win -- started and finished in the hands of senior tailback Levi Shoemaker. The 6’5”, 225 lb. monster of a young man took the ball 47 times, rushing for 205 yards and a touchdown. His number was called for 68 percent of Western’s offensive snaps.

The rest of the offense delivered when called upon as well. Sophomore quarterback Kasyn Messner completed all five of the passes he threw for 67 yards. And senior Brycen Rucker gathered 54 yards of total offense between 13 carries on the ground and a pass reception. Two of those carries resulted in short-yardage touchdowns.

Western was able to limit every aspect of West Lafayette’s offense. The Red Devils quarterback, Blake Biddle, was held to 96 yards in the air and one touchdown. And their leading rusher, Kojo Steffey, managed just 55 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

The Western defense was so effective that it allowed one-third the plays from scrimmage than the Panthers offense attempted. That field control spelled doom for the Devils.

With the win, Western (7-3) advances to the IHSAA Sectional finals this evening, Oct. 31, at Frankton (2-8). The Eagles prevailed over winless Benton Central with its second win of the season in the sectional opener. Its only other win this year came against Blackford High School, which also failed to register a single win this season. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

See additional photos from this contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.