West Muskingum Tornadoes Sweep Through New Lexington In Late Game Shootout
By: Bryce Tinson, Ethan Sargeant
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NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio (WOUB) — It was a thriller at Jim Rockwell Stadium as the Tornadoes of West Muskingum put their unbeaten record on the line against the New Lexington Panthers. The game had everyone on the edge of their seats all night long.
After a TD on their opening possession, the Panthers were stuffed most of the first half by a stiff West Muskingum defense. Meanwhile the Tornado offense, led by quarterback Harley Hopkins, rattled off 21 unanswered to go into the halftime locker room up 28-13.
It was a different Panther team that came back onto the field in the second half. Quarterback Hunter Kellogg helped lead New Lexington to 18 unanswered points of their own. With four minutes left in regulation, Kellogg himself kicked a field goal to go up 31-28.
But they left too much time on the clock for Hopkins, who busted a 45-yard run to the house to retake the lead with two minutes remaining.
The Panthers’ second attempt at a comeback came up short though, as West Muskingum’s defense came through when it mattered and got the game-winning fourth down stop.
West Muskingum moves to 4-0 on the season and are looking dangerous, while New Lexington drops to 2-2 after losing this one in heartbreaking fashion, 35-31.