Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – Brady Ruark ran for 163 yards on 17 carries. He also completed 12-of-18 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns – both to Lucas McGatha – and had a pair of interceptions on defense in leading the Spring Garden Panthers to a 30-14 victory over eighth-ranked Appalachian on Friday.

Ben Baker gained 141 yards on 13 carries with two scores for the Panthers (1-2, 1-0 Class 1A, Region 8). McGatha caught six passes for 62 yards with two touchdowns.

Cayden Thompson led the Panther defense with nine tackles. McGatha also picked off a pass and Jasper Young recovered a fumble.

The Panthers led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter on Baker’s 28-yard touchdown run. Appalachian (1-2) scored two touchdowns early in the second quarter – one on a pass and the other a run – to take a 14-6 advantage.

Spring Garden responded with two scores before halftime on a Ruark-to-McGatha 25-yard touchdown connection and a Baker 30-yard run to take a 22-14 edge.

The Panthers added another touchdown on a short Ruark pass to McGatha in the fourth for the final.

Spring Garden hosts Gaylesville next Friday.