Panther defeat Pioneers

By L.L. WIMMER/Correspondent

The Fort Chiswell Pioneer football team traveled to Saltville on Friday night as they battled the Northwood Panthers.
The Panthers celebrated their homecoming with a victory as they defeated the Pioneers 35-19.
The Panthers took the opening kickoff and put their single-wing offense to work as StevenEarly Spence and Dustin Clear teamed to carry to the FC 46.
On the next play, Spence broke loose off tackle for a 46-yard TD run. Jeremiah Thompson added the PAT as Northwood led 7-0 with 9:26 left in the first quarter.
The Pioneer offense then went to work on the FC 24 and quick as a wink hit pay dirt. Phillip Arnold hooked up with Andrew Hamm on a 76-yard pass and catch for the TD. The PAT was no good as Northwood led 7-6.
The Pioneer defense stiffened and stopped Northwood on its next possession, but four plays later Northwood regained possession on downs.
Seven plays later, Spence scored from a yard out, and Brandon Buchanan ran in for the two-point conversion as Northwood led 15-6 with 6:54 left in the first half.
Neither team could cross the goal line for the remainder of the half.
The Pioneer offense clicked again in the third period as Chris Rodriguez ran a reverse for 22 yards to the Panther eight. On the next play Arnold passed to Mat Gleason for the TD. Kyle Mabry added the PAT as the Pioneers trimmed the Northwood lead to 15-13 with 7:10 left in the third.
Late in the quarter, Northwood replied as the Panthers recovered a Pioneer miscue on the FC 17. Five plays later, Cory Norris crossed the goal line to increase the Panther lead. Thompson added the PAT as Northwood led 22-13.
FC Head Coach Stephen James’ Pioneers struck again as the Arnold to Michael Dunford combination was good for a 36-yard touchdown. The try for two was no good as the Fort trailed the Panthers 22-19 with a quarter to play.
The Panthers kept the Pioneers scoreless over the final 12 minutes, but Northwood scored a pair of touchdowns as Spence scored on a three-yard run and added another TD on a one-yard plunge. Thompson added a PAT for the final score.
Arnold is to be commended for a fine effort as he passed for three touchdowns, along with Hamm, Gleason and Dunford.

Fort Chiswell 6 0 13 0 – 19
Northwood 7 8 7 13—35