Drew Severson rushed for three first half touchdowns Friday night as the Medomak Valley Panthers built a big lead and then hung on for a 32-22 Class C North football win over the Belfast Lions at Dennis “Bear” Bryant Memorial Sports Field in Belfast.
The first quarter was all Medomak (2-0). The Panthers marched down the field and got a seven yard touchdown run from Severson 3:52 into the contest. Severson also ran in a two point conversion to make it 8-0. The senior tailback accounted for 41 of the Panthers 49 yards on the opening drive. Later in the quarter with Belfast backed up to their own two yard line, the Medomak defense tackled Lions running back Isack Cunningham in the endzone for a safety to make it 10-0. The Panthers had an 80-2 advantage in total yards in the opening quarter.
After the ensuring safety punt was returned 32 yards by the Panthers Colvin Standring with two minutes left in the first, Medomak would extend their lead early in the second quarter. Severson scored on a short two run run, and then Gabe Shellman caught a two point conversion to make it 18-0. Belfast (1-1) got on the board when Cunningham would score on a 31 yard run on a 2nd down and 20 play. The extra point was no good. Severson capped off his three touchdown night with an eight run score with just over three minutes to go in the half. The two point run was no good and it was 24-6 Panthers at the break.
Medomak Valley sets up for a third quarter play during their Class C North football game with Belfast on Friday, September 13, 2019. The Panthers won 32-22. Photo by Chris Lessner
Belfast quarterback Dylan Abbott fumbled deep in his own territory on the first play of the third quarter, and Medomak recovered at the Lions 11 yard line. Standring took a hand off on the next play and found the endzone for a Panthers touchdown. Levi Ward ran in a two point conversion to extend to the biggest lead of the game at 32-6. Cunningham would try to bring Belfast back, scoring on a four yard touchdown run late in the third quarter where he also converted the two point conversion. Cunningham wasn’t done as he would score again on an 18 yard run with a little less than six minutes left in the game. Chris Kelley caught the two point conversion to cut the deficit to just 10 with alot of time still left. The Panthers though would convert three first downs to drain the clock and seal the win.
Severson led Medomak Valley with 18 carries, 82 yards, and three touchdowns. He was injured during his third touchdown run in the second quarter and never returned to the game. Levi Ward had 15 carries for 92 yards, while Standring finished with 11 carries for 60 yards a score. Panthers quarterback Zek Hasseltine only attempted three passes on the night, completing one for seven yards. Cunningham led Belfast with 15 carries, 82 yards, and three touchdowns. Abbott was 4-12 passing for 59 yards. Kelly and Cunningham both had 26 yards receiving in the loss for the Lions.
Both teams return to action next Friday night at 7 p.m. Medomak will host Winslow, while Belfast hosts Stearns/Schenck.
MVH (2-0) 10 14 8 0- 32
BEL (1-1) 0 6 8 8- 22
Total yards- Medomak 232 Belfast 173
Turnovers- Medomak 0 Belfast 1
