By WAYNE SHIELS
The Hague Panthers kicked off their home opener with an epic 46-39 win over the Shellbrook Aardvarks under the lights on Friday, September 13. Night games are an exciting event where everyone has an opportunity to cheer on their teams.
The Panthers and Aardvarks didn’t disappoint in a back and forth game that was not decided until the final seconds.
Hague got on the board first on a 35 yard catch and run by Ryder Weins.
Shellbrook responded with a long drive culminating in a one yard touchdown plunge by Kamden Shewchuk.
Hague quarterback Austin Ruskin connected on a pair of long passes setting up a four yard catch and run touchdown by Harley Bergen. Shellbrook blocked the convert attempt and looked like they would take a 16-14 advantage into halftime after another converted touchdown by Shewchuk.
Judah Bourne sacks Shellbrook quarterback Aiden Tait (Gazette photo by Wayne Shiels)
Not so fast. With five seconds left, the Panthers drew up a play to hit Weins on a long pass and the speedster sprinted to the endzone giving the home squad a 22-16 lead.
Weins added to that with an eight yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Shewchuk gave the visitors a 33-30 lead on a four yard running and 12 yard touchdown catch plus he nailed his kickoff through the endzone for a single point.
Weins took advantage of great blocking to score on a 57 yard run to restore Hague’s lead.
Shellbrook’s quarterback Aiden Tait scored on a one yard plunge. The convert was blocked giving the visitors a 39-38 lead.
Hague was not going to be denied, moving the ball into Shellbrook’s end, where Weins was able to break around the end racing 17 yards and driving over the goal line as he was being tackled. With the successful conversion, Hague had a 46-39 lead.
Parker Zacharias defending against Kamden Shewchuk in the final minute of the game to preserve the six point lead for the home team (Gazette photo by Wayne Shiels)
The defence preserved the win with some great coverage on long passing attempts by the Aardvarks.