New Lexington sits in the drivers’ seat on the MVL-Small, conquers Morgan
By: Bryce Tinson, Noah Bowman
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McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — Giving us a look at the title contention within the MVL-Small league we saw an outstanding homecoming game between the Morgan Raiders and the New Lexington Panthers. With both teams coming into this night having the best seasons of their schools history in the past 15 years. Both were looking to do the same to one another by stopping the run, of course only one team was successful, that being the fierce Panthers. Running all the way up victory road, wrecking Morgan’s homecoming night, winning 40-23.
Starting the night out New Lexington knew what their plan was and that was to feed Hunter Rose the rock and let him do what he does best, find the endzone. On the starting drive, fourth play, he did just that, running untouched from 25 yards out. Giving the Panthers a quick 7-0 lead to show the Raiders they were there to play.
On the following possession Hunter decided he wasn’t done eating, as he told his teammates to get out in front and block. Running from nearly end to end, tracking down an 86 yard rushing touchdown for his stat line. With the front half of the first quarter over this gave his team a comfortable lead of 14-0.
But Rose was not alone, as his other Panther teammates, Lucas Ratliff and Tatum Toth decided they wanted some action. Connecting for the length of the field and placing the ball on a rope they ended their drive with touchdown and kept the momentum rolling.
Although, Morgan had other plans. Finally finding the gaps in the massive 5-man defensive line of New Lex. The Raiders were able to move through them and lower the lead to a two score game before the half.
New Lexington was quick to respond as Hunter Rose wanted to show who was, quite literally, running the show. Capping off the night and keeping the Raiders at bay he was able to run with his teammates all the way home on victory road.
The Panthers look to keep this display of dominance further as they face Meadowbrook next week.
However the Morgan Raiders look to bounce back when they face off against West Muskingum to see who will give competition for the title of the MVL-Small.