South Tama quarterback Daniel Wiese (9) calls for the football as running back Cody Blocker (3) awaits the snap during Friday’s football game against Knoxville. PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

The struggles continued Friday night for the South Tama football team as the Knoxville Panthers came into the Trojans’ field on a mission and walked out with a 34-7 victory. Both teams came into this game 0-2, seeking their first elusive win of the season.

The Panther offense got off to a hot start. The passing attack was on display right away as Knoxville quarterback Noah Keefer connected with receivers Max Magana and Koby Higginbotham to score three touchdown passes on their first three drives of the game to make the score 20-0 Knoxville.

Meanwhile, the Trojan offense struggled to punch the ball in the end zone. Quarterback Daniel Wiese and running back Cody Blocker moved the ball down the field well, but couldn’t quite capitalize on their first few drives. As the second quarter comes to an end the Trojans find themselves in a 20 point hole, hoping for a surge of momentum to get them going in the second half.

The Trojans start off the third quarter on a good note stopping the Panther offense on their first drive back from the locker room. Then Wiese gets the offense rolling, completing passes to receiver Jeremy Dolash as the Trojans march down the field into Knoxville territory.

But right as things were looking up for the Trojans, a pass from Wiese popped up into the air and was intercepted by the Panther defense for a pick six, giving Knoxville all the momentum they needed to shut down the Trojans.

PHOTO BY JAMES BRANT

With Knoxville up big going into the fourth quarter, STC looked to find something positive to hold onto going into next week. Trojan defensive end Jeremy Dolash provided that spark with an interception in their own red zone taking it 80 yards to the Knoxville 15 yard line. From there, freshman quarterback Emerson Bridgewater punched it into the end zone on a QB sneak giving South Tama something to build on from this game.

With the Panthers lethal passing attack and stubborn defense they rolled past the Trojans with a final score of 34-7. STC will hit the road next week to take on their conference opponent, the Center Point-Urbana Stormin’ Pointers.