Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – The Spring Garden Panthers opened the first round of the Class 1A state football playoffs Friday night by churning out 675 total yards in a 54-21 win over Victory Christian.

Connor Bates led the Panthers (11-0) with 211 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. He also caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Barber.

Barber was 8 of 10 through the air for 110 yards and three touchdowns. His other two scoring passes went to John Welsh and Eli Ledbetter, both from 15 yards.

Zane Edwards had two carries, both for scores, on runs of 14 and 5 yards. Johnny Baker added a 75-yard score on the ground. Lukas McGatha caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brady Ruark.

On defense, Tanner Ruark posted 16 tackles. Bates had 11 stops. Grey Simpson made nine tackles. Baker, Clayton Sadler and Chandler Rogers each finished with seven stops. McGatha had a fumble recovery.

The Panthers built a 26-14 lead at halftime and led 40-14 after three quarters.

Spring Garden will host Berry of Fayette (10-1) in the second round next Friday. It will be the first meeting between the two schools. Berry defeated Addison 54-38 in other first round action on Friday.