IOWA FALLS – The Ellsworth Community College football team traveled to Kansas to take on its first opponent of the 2017 season. The Panthers faced #3 in the nation Garden City Community College and came away with a 31-7 loss.

The Panthers kept it close the first half of the game with an 8-7 score going into the half. ECC's only touchdown came in the second quarter with a 10-yard rush from Tekendrick Roberson.

Penalties caused some problems for the Panthers, who tallied 7 penalties on offense and 3 on defense for a total of 61 yards.

Paris Chambers led the team in rushing with 12 rushes and 55 yards. He was followed closely by Roberson, who had 12 rushes for 43 yards, and Ethan Barnett, who had 9 rushes for 44 yards.

Drew Greenhaw averaged 9.5 yards per catch, and Pete Savrides was close behind averaging 9 yards per catch.

Javonte Arius led the Panthers in tackles with 6 as well as 1 sack and 2 tackles for a loss. Keonte Schad and Steven Ogletree each had 5 tackles. Brandon Doyle had an interception that he returned for 22 yards. CJ Burress and Josh Belle each had a fumble recovery for ECC.

The Panthers look to get a win on the road Saturday, Sept. 2, against Coffeyville Community College with kick off at 1 pm.