Staff Reports

JACKSONVILLE – Spring Garden senior Cam Welsh accounted for three touchdowns, including two scoring receptions, in the Class 1A, No. 6 Panthers’ 28-14 football victory at Class 2A Pleasant Valley on Friday.

Chapel Pope was 4-of-11 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns, all to Welsh. Welsh also ran for 78 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. He also made four tackles and a sack on defense.

Pope added 49 yards on nine carries for the Panthers (7-1).

Connor Bates collected 66 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. He also posted six tackles and a sack on defense.

Holt Bentley put Pleasant Valley (2-5) on top 6-0 with a touchdown run at the 3:51 mark of the first quarter, but Welsh countered with a 40-yard scoring run on the Panthers’ ensuing drive. The extra point game Spring Garden a 7-6 advantage.

Welsh scored again in with 7:45 remaining in the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown catch. The point after provided the Panthers a 14-6 edge at halftime.

Bates had the only touchdown of the third quarter on a 2-yard run. The extra point extended Spring Garden’s lead to 21-6.

Welsh added his final touchdown of the game on a 57-yard reception with 10:39 left in the game. The ensuing kick gave the Panthers a 28-6 lead.

Pleasant Valley scored the game’s final touchdown with 5:51 remaining. The 2-point try was good.

John Welsh tallied six tackles and a sack on defense for Spring Garden, which hosts Donoho on Friday. Pleasant Valley hosts Southeastern.