Staff Reports

COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Panthers ended a 7-game football losing skid to Sylvania on Friday, holding on for a 28-26 victory in Class 3A, Region 8 action.

Mason McAteer completed 16-of-23 pass attempts for 263 yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers (5-2, 3-2). He also ran for 102 yards on 19 carries.

Sam Stewart caught three of those touchdown passes. He had 34 yards receiving.

Noah Johnson led the Panther pass catchers with five receptions for 122 yards. Gavin Lang caught four passes for 67 yards and a score. Sylas Adams also had four catches for 40 yards.

McAteer and Stewart gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on scoring connections of 5 and 13 yards. Lang’s 5-yard touchdown reception from McAteer in the second gave Collinsville a 21-6 lead. Sylvania returned the ensuing kickoff for a score to make it a 21-13 game at halftime.

The Rams (1-6, 1-4) closed the gap to 21-19 on a touchdown run in the third quarter. The try for 2 was unsuccessful.

McAteer and Stewart’s third touchdown connection — this one from 16 yards — extended the Panther lead to 27-19 in the fourth quarter, and Collinsville was able to hold off a late Ram rally from there to capture the win.

Collinsville travels to Brindlee Mountain on Friday.