Panthers head south looking for back-to-back wins
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WOODSFIELD -- For the first time this season, Buckeye Local will have gone through a week of practice coming off of a win headed into its next game.
The Panthers will be hoping to have that same experience next week as they look to build off win No. 1 with a trip south to Monroe County to take on the Monroe Central Seminoles.
The Panthers, now 1-3, got that first win at home last week over visiting Brownsville, Pa. in commanding fashion, 40-6, at World War II Memorial Stadium.
Buckeye Local scored the first 40 points of the game and were on the right side of the running clock in the second half, largely in part to the performance of young backup quarterback Alex McDiffitt.
McDiffitt, who was making his first start in place of injured senior Skyler Ebright, racked up 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an 83-yard score.
A Panthers' offense that had been sputtering without an offensive TD in losses to Barnesville, Union Local and Shadyside finally found its groove putting up 385 total yards of offense and six scores on the board.
The Seminoles also sport a 1-3 mark, though they are coming off back-to-back losses. Monroe Central dropped its opener to Edison, blew out Bridgeport, then fell to River and Caldwell the last two weeks.
They do average 27.25 points scored, but allow 31.5 as well, while the Panthers allow a like number of points and average 11.75 points scored.
Buckeye Local won last year's meeting in convincing fashion, 68-12. The 2021 meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, and Buckeye also won the 2020 meeting, 32-14. Friday will be the Panthers' first trip to Monroe County in the series, though, as both of the previous meetings were played in Yorkville.
The opening kick at the home of the Seminoles is set for 7 p.m.