The Ellsworth Community College football team opened the regular season this past Saturday, Aug. 27, against Garden City Community College. The Panthers suffered a 30-7 loss.
ECC was held scoreless in the first three quarters of the game, with Garden City scoring four unanswered touchdowns. The Panthers were able to score in the fourth quarter with a pass from quarterback Austin Sowers to Marcel Williams for a 12-yard gain and a touchdown.
The Panthers used three quarterbacks throughout the game. Lamont Toney started for ECC and left the game in the first half due to an injury. Sowers and Hess split the remaining time for the Panthers. Sowers threw for 60 yards in the game and one touchdown. Interceptions plagued the Panthers; Sowers and Lamont each had one and Hess had two.
Tekendrick Roberson led the Panthers in rushing with 24 yards. Juan Petit-Frere led ECC in receiving with 42 yards, averaging 14 yards. Devon Russell and Marcel Williams each had two kickoff returns. Russell returned for 54 yards and averaged 27 yards per return. Williams had 40 yards and averaged 20 per return. Williams also led the team in punt returns with 4 returns for 30 yards.
Ryan Guthrie led the Panthers on the defensive side with 15 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 7 of those were solo. Reggie Miles was close behind with 9 total tackles, 6 solo.
The Panthers will be at home again this week taking on Coffeyville Community College at 1 pm on Saturday, Sept. 3.
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Photo Caption: ECC quarterback Austin Sowers hands off to Tekendrick Roberson.
