PANTHERS LOSE CONFERENCE OPENER TO FARMINGTON

CLARKSVILLE — A rain-soaked field was the scene for the Clarksville Panthers conference home opener Friday, as they hosted the Farmington Cardinals. The Farmington offense was too strong for the Panthers, as they fell 38-13.

The rain contributed to the game plan for both teams as the first half saw a plethora of rushing.

A slow start for the Cardinals and the Panthers saw both teams trade punts early on.

Farmington got on the board first on the legs of Reed Turner. A 73-yard touchdown run put the Cardinals up 6-0. The Drew Sturgeon extra point attempt was good, Farmington lead 7-0 with about a minute left in the first quarter.

Clarksville answered back in the second, converting a fourth down conversion to keep a drive alive and eventually scoring on a 39-yard touchdown. Sergio Fernandez hit the extra point and tied the game with 8:44 to go in the half.

Less than a minute later, Farmington struck back. Reed Turner ran the ball 60 yards for the score, the ensuing extra point was good and Farmington reclaimed the lead 14-7.

After a Clarksville punt, Farmington scored again on the legs of running back Tony Mayo. Mayo ran 59 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was good and Farmington lead 21-7.

The Cardinals scored again before the break on a 21-yard field goal from kicker Drew Sturgeon.

Clarksville trailed Farmington 24-7 at the half.

The third quarter saw only one score. Farmington quarterback Eric Hill hit Drew Sturgeon on a 16-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, and the third quarter ended with Clarksville trailing Farmington 31-7.

Farmington wouldn’t wait too long after the start of the fourth quarter to score again. An Eric Hill pass to Reid Turner put the Cardinals up 37-7. The ensuing extra point was successful, and Farmington lead 38-7.

Clarksville would not go quietly into that good night, however, as the Panthers put a rushing touchdown on the board with 3:20 left to play. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, and the Panthers cut the deficit to 38-13, the game’s final score.