Red Dragons top Panthers
Maple Grove comes back to win
OBSERVER Staff Report
GOWANDA — The Gowanda/Pine Valley Panthers fell to Maple Grove, 16-8, after allowing a pair of second half touchdowns in a non-league varsity football game at Gowanda High School on Friday night.
Gowanda (2-3, 2-2) had an 8-0 lead at halftime after Ryan Gernatt scored a five yard touchdown in the second quarter. Adam Sisti ran the ball in for the two point conversion for an 8-0 Gowanda/Pine Valley lead.
Maple Grove (4-1, 3-1) answered in the second half, with a 35 yard pass from Carson Crist to Easton Tanner. After a two point conversion tied the game at 8-8, Gowanda/Pine Valley fumbled on the ensuing drive. In great field position to start the fourth quarter, Maple Grove took the lead on a 15 yard run by Tanner and a two point conversion to follow. The 16-8 lead held for the rest of the game.
Gernatt finished the game with 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown, while adding seven tackles and two sacks defensively. Sisti was the Panthers’ leading tackler with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Damen MacLeod had three catches for 38 yards, along with an interception defensively.
Gowanda/Pine Valley plays at Silver Creek/Forestville next week on Friday at 7 p.m. in Silver Creek.