Jonathan Boldt

Herald Correspondent

The Salem Hills Skyhawks hung tough against a talented Pineview Panthers team before falling 34-11 Friday night.

Pineview jumped out to an early 14-0 lead on a touchdown run of 40 yards followed by an 80-yard punt return. Salem Hills put a drive together just before halftime, moving down to the eight-yard line on a pass to Sione-Mahe Wolfgramm. The Skyhawks were unable to convert the field position into a touchdown however, settling for three points to get on the board headed into the break.

The Skyhawks came out strong on defense to start the third quarter as Joseph Butler blind-sided Pineview’s quarterback for a five-yard sack on third down. Salem Hills retuned the ball 20 yards out to the 42 yard line on the ensuing punt. At the end of the run Pineview was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moving the ball to the 27-yard line. Three plays later Wolfgramm hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Stevens from the 18-yard line. Stevens stood strong in the pocket and delivered the ball just as a blitzing Panther ran over him. Salem Hills surprised fans and Pineview as the holder on the extra point kept the ball and snuck in a two-point conversion to bring the Skyhawks within a field goal at 14-11.

On their next possession Pineview faked the handoff and tossed a 47-yard bomb to a wide-open receiver streaking down the middle of the field to extend the lead once again. They would, however, fail to convert on the extra point, leaving points on the field but still keeping it a two-touchdown game.

As Salem Hills started moving the chains again, Stevens was picked off on an overthrown ball over the middle. The Panthers were subsequently flagged for the third of their five personal fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct after the interception, backing them up to their own 16 yard line.

That would prove to be irrelevant as Pineview converted on the first play of the drive, scoring on an 84-yard pass to yet another open receiver who sped past the Salem Hills defensive back. They would not send out the kicker this time as they kept in quarterback Kody Wilstead, who dropped in a tear drop pass over the offensive and defensive lineman to make the score 28-11.

With nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Salem Hills attempted one last push for the end zone and a chance to cut into the lead. They would instead be picked off once again, this time in the end zone.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Salem Hills coach Monty Morgan. “They played their hearts out and never gave up. We started three juniors and two first year players on our offensive line, but they put it all out there for us.”

Pineview would put one more touchdown on the board in the final minutes to close out the scoring and start the season 2-1 while the Skyhawks fell to 0-3.

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