By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Sept. 22 — Page County had to overcome two turnovers in its first three possessions, but the Panthers came roaring back to secure a solid, 38-22, homecoming victory over the Generals of Mountain View Friday night at Buddy Comer Stadium.
The win was Page County’s first this season, but it comes in the Panther’s district home opener. Both teams now stand at 1-4 on the season; however, Page County will be the Generals’ only Bull Run District opponent in a shortened seven-game season.
Senior quarterback Hunter Pettit posted another stellar performance for Page, accounting for five touchdowns and 102 yards on the ground, while also going 7-of-16 through the air for another 122 yards. As if that wasn’t enough, the two-way player also recorded a timely interception on defense that stopped a fourth-quarter drive by the Generals and three plays later resulted in a Panther touchdown.
Page County sophomore Isaac Foltz proved to be Pettit’s favorite target. Foltz recorded seven receptions for all 122 yards the Panthers gained through the air. The success of Page’s passing game has added depth and big-play potential to their offense.
Mt. View remained competitive most of the game, but twice in the first half the Panthers’ defense stopped a Generals’ drive on fourth down at the 1-yard-line. In addition, the Generals would commit four turnovers on the night.
After being stalled at the 1-yard-line on their opening possession and benefitting from Page’s first fumble, Mt. View only took three plays to cover 18 yards and put the first points on the board. Junior Adam Lambert rambled in from 11 yards out to score the first of two touchdowns. Lambert added a two-point conversion to make the score 8-0 with 5:45 left in the first quarter.
That would be the only points the Generals could muster in the first half, as they gave up an interception, a fumble and got stoped at the one twice.
Page County answered that first score with its own six-play drive covering 59 yards and ending with Pettit running in from six yards out . The two-point attempt failed, leaving the score at 8-6 with 3:38 remaining in the first. After a fumble and a three-and-out, the Panthers put together a 10-play, 99-yard drive that put up one more score before the half. Pettit carried it in from three yards out, and with the PAT, brought the score to 13-8 at the break.
The second half would produce a total of six touchdowns between the two teams. Mt. View got things started with a five-play drive that ended with Lambert’s second touchdown from a few yards out. That gave the Generals the lead again at 14-13 just two minutes into the second half.
Page County then ground out a four-minute, 10-play drive that went 50 yards and ended with Pettit’s third touchdown from 12 yards out. The Panthers retook the lead at 19-14 after a failed two-point conversion.
A turning point in the back-and-forth scoring — and the game — came late in the third quarter when sophomore Dawson Richards stopped a six-play General drive with a one-handed interception. Page then went on a nine-play drive covering 87 yards that culminated with Pettit’s fourth touchdown and giving the Panthers a two-score, 25-14 lead, at the start of the fourth quarter.
Neither team would pick up a first down in the next few possessions until Page got the ball on the Mt. View 15-yard line due to a stop on fourth down and a Generals’ penalty. Four plays later, Pettit recorded his fifth touchdown from seven yards out to make the score 31-14 following a blocked PAT.
Thanks to Pettit’s interception on Mt. View’s next possession, Page County turned around and increased their lead to 38-14 moments later when senior running back Nick Moore got a well-deserved score from 12 yards out. Moore had 16 tough carries on the night for 75 tough yards.
In the final two minutes, Mt. View would add one more score, as sophomore Carlos Garcia-Romero broke loose for a 75-yard sprint to the end zone, capping the scoring at 38-22.
The Generals got a big night from Lambert, who had just under 200 yards rushing on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Lambert’s legs were the only successful element of Mt. View’s offense, as the Generals went 1-for-8 through the air for only nine yards, while tossing three interceptions. Shreejee Patel, the Generals big quarterback, did break loose once for a 37-yard run.
Up next for Page County (1-4), the Panthers will have an open week next Friday before hosting Strasburg on Oct. 6. Mt. View (1-4) travels to Craig County next Friday, Sept. 29.
For full schedules, rosters and standings — check out the Bull Run District website.
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