Harry Samuelson and Tom Leeseberg rushed for two touchdowns each Saturday night in lifting the Parkers Prairie Panthers over Wadena-Deer Creek 30-6 in the season football opener for both clubs.
The Panthers, who threw 23 seniors and juniors at the Wolverines, out-gained Wadena-Deer Creek 306-162.
"I don't think it's indicative of the team we're going to have," WDC head coach Howard Kangas said. "The only thing we can say about that game was that it showed our lack of experience. I am not going to make excuses. We either get this thing done or we don't get this thing done but there aren't going to be any excuses."
John Sieling's Panthers cashed in on a pair of first quarter possessions. Samuelson capped a seven play, 67-yard drive on Parkers Prairie's first offensive series with a two-yard run. Joe Hewitt broke off a 31-yard gainer to set up Samuelson's scoring plunge.
After the Wolverines failed to move the ball on their first series, the Panthers took over on WDC's 41 and a six-play drive ended with 205-pound fullback Josh McKeown going over from five yards out.
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A shanked punt set up the Panthers for their third touchdown of the game late in the second quarter. Taking over on WDC's 41 with 4:58 left and a strong wind at their backs, the Panthers moved down to score with 38 seconds left on a two-yard run by Leeseberg.
The Wolverines were able to stage a 13-play drive in the third quarter which culminated with a 34-yard scoring run by Zac Schertler.
Down 18-6 going into the fourth quarter, the Wolverines gave up a costly touchdown to Samuelson with 10:03 remaining. The Parkers quarterback went over from the one to cap a 10-play, 60-yard drive and put the Panthers on top 24-6.
Leeseberg scored the game's final touchdown with five minutes left in the game as he hit paydirt on a nine-yard run.
Schertler rushed 20 times for 80 yards. Sam Kelderman, who broke off a 19-yard run, finished with 32 rushing yards on four carries.
Hewitt was the leading rusher for Parkers with 116 yards on 12 carries. Leeseberg carried 13 times for 72 yards. McKeown and Samuelson combined for for 98 yards on the ground.
Tyler Wheeler led the Wolverines in tackles with five solo stops and seven assists. Tom Brekke had eight tackles and Drew Killian recorded seven.
Parkers' Zach Ward was credited with 10 tackles and one sack. McKeown was right behind with eight tackles and one sack.
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The Wolverines will play a 7 p.m. game Friday at Long Prairie. The first home game will be Sept. 4 with United North Central.
Wadena-Deer Creek 0 0 6 0 - 6
Parkers Prairie 12 6 0 12 - 30
WDC: Zac Schertler 34 yd run (PAT failed)
PP: Harry Samuelson 1 yd run (PAT failed), Josh McKeown 5 yd run (PAT failed), Tom Leeseberg 2 yd run (PAT failed), Samuelson 1 yd run (PAT failed)
Leeseberg 9 yd run (PAT failed)
WDC PP
First Downs - 17
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Yards Rushing 144 306
Yards Passing 18 0
Total Yards 162 306
Passes 3-12 0-1
Intercepted by 0 1
Fumbles lost 1 0
Penalties - 2-20
