After taking its first lead of the season with a first-quarter touchdown drive, Panther Valley found itself in an all-too familiar position as time ticked away in the second quarter.

Visiting Pine Grove had come back with a pair of touchdown drives to take its first lead of the season in a Schuylkill Red Division game between winless teams. Then junior quarterback Brody Breiner began to work his magic.

With 1:06 remaining in the half, Breiner hit tight end Logan Fisher in stride as he was running into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the score. Then Breiner directed an 11-play, 60-yard drive to open the second half, including a 10-yard completion to Fisher on fourth-and-six that set up Frank Shubeck’s 4-yard touchdown run in the 21-13 victory.

Both the Panthers (1-3, 1-2 Red) and Pine Grove (0-4, 0-3 Red) came into the game having scored one touchdown this season. Both teams knew this game represented a realistic opportunity to end their frustration, and their intensity level showed their desire.

“When we came out for the second half, knowing we were going to get the ball, everybody was positive,” Breiner said. “We knew if we got the lead that our defense would hold them.

“We had to make some big play on offense, but we were confident we could move the ball. Once we got the lead, our defense really stepped up, and we confident in them to do the job.”

Quarterback Wyatt Dixon led the Cardinals on back-to-back scoring drives to finish off the first quarter and open the second. Logan Troup scored on a 2-yard run with 2:28 remaining in the quarter for a 7-7 tie following the kick by Dru Herber.

Pine Grove opened the second quarter with a 10-play drive, taking a 13-7 lead on a 5-yard run by Brody Ibarra with 8:09 remaining in the half. Few could have guessed those would be the last points the Cards would score.

A nine-play, 78-yard drive on their first possession resulted in the Panthers taking a 7-0 lead when junior Marcus Rodriguez scored on a 5-yard run and Elijah Shepherd kick the extra point.

On the tying touchdown drive to end the half, the Panthers went 60 yards in 10 plays. A fourth-down scramble by Breiner for a first down and his 8-yard scramble on third-and-five following a pass interference penalty on third-and-20 were keys.

Breiner took a physical pounding from the Cardinals, but never lost his poise. He carried 21 times for 140 yards, and Rodriquez carried nine times for 45 yards.

Dixon carried nine times for 57 yards, and Troup carried 19 times for 56 yards. They kept the Cards within striking distance until the end, but down the stretch it was the Panthers who made the plays that made the difference.

UP NEXT … Panther Valley will be at home again on Friday when it hosts Nativity. Pine Grove, meanwhile, entertains Shenandoah Valley.

Panther Vy. 21, Pine Grove 13

Pine Grove 7 6 0 0 - 13

Panther Valley 7 6 8 0 - 21

Scoring summary

PV - M. Rodriguez 1 run (Shepherd kick)

PG - Troup 2 run (Herber kick)

PG - Ibarra 5 run (kick failed)

PV - Fisher 22 pass from Breiner (kick failed)

PV - Shubeck 4 run (Nunez run)