Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – The Spring Garden Panthers are off to their first 7-0 start since 2021 following a 46-21 victory over Appalachian on Friday in Class 1A Region 8 football action.

John Welsh had an all-around game for the fifth-ranked Panthers, who improved to 4-0 in region play. Welsh ran for 161 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 71 yards and three scores, and had an interception on defense.

Connor Bates gained 94 yards on 14 totes with two touchdowns. He also posted six tackles and had an interception on defense.

Noah Barber completed 5 of 10 pass attempts for 98 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 40 yards on nine carries and made seven stops on defense.

Grey Simpson and Zane Edwards both registered seven tackles for the Panthers. Tanner Ruark had six tackles and Colton Driskell finished with five tackles.

Spring Garden held a 21-7 advantage at halftime. The Panthers built a 14-0 lead Welsh’s 20-yard touchdown reception and his 76-yard rushing score. Appalachian (5-2, 2-1) cut Spring Garden’s lead to 14-7 with a touchdown at the 6:02 mark of the second quarter, but Bates put the Panthers back up by a pair of scores at halftime with his 3-yard run with 29 seconds remaining.

Welsh opened the third-quarter scoring with his 39-yard touchdown grab at the 7:30 mark. Just 12 seconds later, the Eagles scored again to make it a 27-14 game. Welsh closed out the third with a 12-yard touchdown reception to push the Panthers out to a 33-14 advantage.

Welsh and Bates scored on runs of 4 and 14 yards respectively for Spring Garden’s final points.

Spring Garden travels to Gaylesville on Friday.