Panthers looking to bounce back hosting the River Pilots
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CONNORVILLE -- Buckeye Local drew the unfortunate distinction of being the first regular season opponent for Bellaire's Raekwon Pettigrew coming off a 2025 injury.
Bellaire's dynamic offensive weapon caught two passes, including one for a 24-yard TD and also returned not one, but two punt returns (88 and 70 yards, respectively) as the Big Reds took down the Panthers 43-13 in a mutual season opener.
Buckeye faired better in the second half, a fact head coach Hayden Daley commented on following the game.
But it was that slow-start syndrome that has plagued Buckeye during the early season in recent memory that caused problems early.
Against an explosive team like Bellaire, that can lead to trouble.
Bellaire led 19-0 before Buckeye finally cracked the end zone on an 8-yard run by Tyler Schubert.
Schubert led the team with 60 yards on 11 carries while passing for just 33 yardsd on 4-of-11 attempts.
Blake Worwa came on later int eh game in relief and threw for 87 yards and a TD on 4-of-5 passing, including the scoring strike to Kaden Littlejon, who finished with 88 yards on four receptions.
Buckeye finished with 198 yards against Bellaire's 216, which likely would have been more if not for Pettigrew's special teams' touchdowns.
The Big Reds completed only 3-of-4 passing attempts with two touchdowns.
The Panthers showed promise in spurts, but will need four quarters of football against an explosive team like Bellaire.
This week's opponent can be just as explosive, albeit with a vastly different look.
Bellaire utilizes its speed and a balanced attach via a shotgun formation.
This week's opponent, River, is fit to line up with double tights, three backs in the backfield in either a wish bone or power formation, and hammer the ball relentlessly down the field.
Portsmouth Notre Dame discovered that the hard way in Week 1.
Behind a punishing offensive line, senior Wyatt Stalder ran for 183 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns.
Quarterback Trey Larrick ran and passed for additional scores in the 41-6 rout.
Last season the Pilots narrowly defeated the Panthers 21-12 in Hannibal.