Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – Spring Garden churned out over 450 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns in a 39-14 non-region football win over Class 2A Pleasant Valley on Friday.

Connor Bates led the Panthers (6-2) with 144 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns on runs of 19 and 45 yards. He also had four tackles and an interception on defense.

John Welsh accounted for 132 yards on four carries with two touchdowns on runs of 55 and 70 yards. Chapel Pope added 91 yards on 16 carries with a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 4-yard score in the third quarter.

Noah Barber ran for 63 yards on five carries. He also posted six tackles on defense.

Speaking of defense, the Panthers registered five sacks on the night. Jacob Welsh led the unit with nine tackles and two sacks. Tanner Ruark compiled six tackles and a sack. Grey Simpson had four tackles and a sack, and John Welsh finished with three tackles and a sack.

Pleasant Valley (4-3) did manage to hold a 7-6 lead with 10 minutes to go in the first quarter, but then the Panthers reeled off 39 straight points to put the game away. Spring Garden led at halftime 14-7 following Bates’ 19-yard score in the second quarter.

Spring Garden jumps back into Class 1A, Region 6 action on Friday at Donoho. Pleasant Valley is at Southeastern.