The SWIN Game Of The Week featured the Reitz Panthers and Jasper Wildcats; each team entered Week 3 with 2-0 overall/SIAC records.  There was plenty of action throughout the night, as Reitz and Jasper competed to see which team would begin its season 3-0 overall/in SIAC play. 

Jasper took the opening possession of the game and drove 10 plays, capping a 68-yard drive with a 2-Yard TD run by Sr. FB Ashton Schuetter (6’2”, 211).  The Panthers quickly countered with a 46-Yard TD Pass from Sr. QB Nate Staley (6’2”, 155) to Soph. WR Hayden Summers (6’0”, 145).  Summers showed an impressive burst of speed after the catch.  Summers, at DB, also intercepted a Jasper pass, providing the Panthers with a huge lift on each side of the ball.

A Jasper punt pinned the Panthers inside the 1-Yard line.  On the following play, Jr. DB Bralen Bair (5’10”, 144) intercepted Staley’s pass, returning it for a TD, allowing the ‘Cats to reclaim the lead.  Late in the First Half, the Panthers had a chance to possibly tie the game; however, on Reitz’s 4th-&-Goal play from the 1, there appeared to be a bobbled snap, which enabled Jasper to maintain its 14-7 lead heading into the locker room.

The ‘Cats were able to force a 3-&-Out on Reitz’s first possession of the Second Half.  On the following possession, capping it with a 1-Yard TD run by Schuetter.  Toward the end of the 3rd Quarter, the Panthers were able to claw their way back into it on a 5-Yard TD Pass from Staley to Jr. TE Branson Beal (6’3”, 210).

As the game headed into the 4th Quarter, the teams were locked into a one-score game, as Jasper led, 20-14.  The 4th Quarter brought all kinds of action, starting Sr. FB Isaac Day (5’9”, 170) ran for a 9-Yard TD for Jasper.  Reitz was able to again pull within one score, as Staley connected with Sr. WR Isaac Maynard (6’5”, 185).  Maynard used every bit of his 6’5” frame to bring in the TD reception for the Panthers.

Jasper was able to pull away late, as Sr. QB Will Weinzapfel (6’3”, 180) was able to strike for a 26-Yard TD on the ground.  I was impressed with Jasper’s balance of power and speed in their backfield.  The ‘Cats’ balanced ground attack included Weinzapfel, Schuetter, Day, and Sr. RB’s Cooper Ewing (5’9”, 148) and Ian Giesler (5’10”, 155).

The scoring was capped with Bair’s second Interception Return for a TD on the night, providing the final margin of 42-21.