The varsity football team went up against the Port Huron Northern Huskies on Friday, Oct. 12, for their regularly scheduled game which was also for the Macomb Area Conference (MAC) Blue championship. The Panthers received their first division loss of the season to the Huskies with the final score being 14-26. Their overall record is now five wins and three losses.

Due to rain, the team had trouble holding the ball throughout the night, resulting in multiple fumbles. Despite this, the Panthers did well in the first two quarters. By halftime, they had the lead with a score of 14-13. However, in the second half, no points were racked up by the team and they struggled with many penalties.

Junior Daivon Lowman scored the first touchdown in the first quarter with the team deciding to go for a two point conversion. It was not successful, but Lowman was able to score another touchdown later in the quarter. Senior Deandro Watts was also able to make an impressive interception in the first quarter that stunned the crowd.

Flags and penalties were seen many times throughout the second half of the game. Both teams received penalties, from multiple face mask calls on the Huskies, to holding and other calls on the Panthers.

In the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Javon Osterhout was injured and had to be replaced by junior Delano Fordham. Osterhout was able to come back at the end of the game, but he received another injury which was just too much for him to handle. Nonetheless, he still plans to play in the next game.

“I feel there was a lot stacked against us coming into this game. We played well as a team, but it’s hard when you have to battle Port Huron and the refs. [This week] we need to improve on our mental errors,” Osterhout said.

The Panthers were not able to bring home the championship victory, but they still have the opportunity to go to the playoffs if they win the next game. Their next and last official game of the season will be held Oct 19 at home against the Eastpointe Shamrocks.