DUNLAP - As the clock ran down to the end of the first half, the Minutemen wished for more than a miracle. Some coaches say each half is a game in itself, and for the Panthers they dominated the first game.

With a 28-0 NorthWood lead after the first 24 minutes of power-packed passing and solid rushing, Concord went into the lockerroom dazed and confused.

Led by sophomore Charlie Roeder, the offense ate up the yards early on. Beginning with their first drive, the Panthers pushed the Minutemen back into an unfortunate position. With four consecutive possessions came four consecutive touchdowns.

The first touchdown threw the visiting fans into an uproar. This intensity picked up even more as the Panthers defense held the Minutemen to three and out. Roeder scored big as the sight of the goaline inspired him to plow through Concord.

On the third possession, Joe Abel lined up as a receiver. As he faked to the inside, the defense reacted to his bluff. Roeder's pass floated perfectly over the cornerback, resulting in another six points.

Aaron Huber's second quarter touchdown run shocked everyone, except head coach Rich Dodson.

"Aaron is the type of player who is underrated. He had a great game, there is nothing else to it," Dodson said.

Dodson can only be praised for his aggressive play calling, twice attempting two-point conversions. Although both unsuccessful, this "go-get-em" approach fueled their fury.

Dodson responded to the first half of the game by stating, "we got what we set out to do. Since Jimtown, we have made strides, but we need to make more plays on defense."

The Panthers could have used some bigger plays on defense in the second half. The Minutemen outscored the Panthers 20-13. Concord came out of halftime with a vengeance. In four quick plays they travelled the length of the field and put seven points on the board.

For a short moment Concord seemed to be catching fire.

But that moment soon passed as Roeder threw a beautiful pass to Jake Yoder. Yoder, a senior, ran with the mentality that this was his last game. As he poured on the speed, the gap expanded another six.

Concord responded back with six quick plays. Taking less than two minutes, the drive began with a run from Rickey McKenzie and ended with a 4 yard sweep by Josh Staley. The Panther's defense seemed to be on their heels, as Concord ran straight up the middle.

With two minutes left in the third quarter Huber ran another one back. This forty yard run left the Minutemen with missed tackles and increased frustration.

In the fourth quarter the Panthers offense was silenced, only to be answered by Concord's touchdown pass with eleven minutes left on the clock. Dustin Blevins caught a nice pass, although the Minutemen had no hope, due to the Panther's early lead.

Coach Dodson and the defending Northern Lakes Conference champs are about to enter the tougher part of the season. The team is already looking ahead to next week's game against Goshen. Friday night's victory was savored, but yet the Panther's are hungry for more wins.

Putting it all in perspective Dodson ended the night by cautioning, "Round 2 only gets tougher". [[In-content Ad]]