1 • Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 - Shopper’s Guide
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Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 81 • NO. 47
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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2019
Le-Win Panthers headed to semifinals SPORTSWRITER
The Lena-Winslow Panther’s football squad is red hot, and their level play continued to rise last Saturday when they hosted the Aquin Bulldogs for a level three Class 1A playoff matchup. It was the second home game of the postseason for the Panthers and it was a mud-covered battle that featured the top two teams from the NUIC. Though, the Aquin Bulldogs came in undefeated and looking to be the toughest opponent for LeWin this season, it did not take long for the Panthers to pounce. The Panther defense came out as strong as ever as Saturday featured what could arguably be called their best performance of the season. It did not take long for them to force a punt on Aquin’s opening drive of the game and putting the ball in the hands of their explosive offense. Before you knew it, the Panthers were on the one yard line and Sean Ormiston was barreling through the endzone for the first score of the game. It was a big score for the Panthers, but it meant even more than that as the touchdown set the new NUIC record for rushing touchdowns for Ormiston. It was career rushing touchdown number 59 for him, leaving him atop the NUIC record books. On the ensuing Aquin drive, the Panthers were on the prowl again as they forced a fumble and Ethan Gift jumped on it to give them the ball once again. With the ball at the 29 yard line it didn’t take long for the elusive Isaiah Bruce to pounce into the endzone for an eleven yard touchdown run. The score game the Panthers a two score lead up 16-0 in the first. Following a quick three and out for the Bulldogs, the Panthers had the ball again. This time, they scored quickly as Marey Roby showed off his athleticism in what turned out to be a 76 yard touchdown run. Despite the slippery conditions, Roby managed to keep his footing and display his agility, avoiding multiple tackles
on the long run. Just like that, the Panthers were running away in another big game as they held a three score lead after just the first quarter. The LeWin defense was not to be overlooked as they held the exceptional Aquin passing attack to zero yards through the first half, which kept the ball out of their hands for a majority of the time. With the ball in the Panther’s paws, they were able to really open things up when Luke Benson connected with Kade Chrisman for a 21 yard touchdown pass to go up 28-0. Aquin was able to get their first score late in the second half, thanks in majority to a trio of defensive penalties on LeWin, all of which resulted in Bulldog first downs. The score didn’t make much of a dent, however, as a second Ormiston touchdown run and a 41 yard touchdown pass from Benson to Chrisman had the Panthers up 44-7 as we went into halftime. The LeWin running game was the story of the half as Roby had reached the 100 yard mark early in the second half and Ormiston sat at 140 total yards at the break. Not to be overlooked was the passing game, however, as the connections from Benson to Chrisman really helped to open up the score. Early on in the third quarter Isaiah Bruce was on the loose again as he took it 39 yards for the touchdown. The score allowed coach Ric Arand to put the backups in and let the running clock work as they ticked towards what would be a 52-20 victory in level three. Following the game, Ormiston said of their performance “I think it’s been above what all of our expectations have been. We’ve had high expectations and I think we’ve definitely exceeded that.” He also complimented the big guys up front, saying “They’re amazing, I couldn’t thank them enough. I always make sure I show them some love each and every week with some food or something, but yeah they’re pretty awesome.” Coach Arand praised his squad following another devastating win against a tough opponent saying “I
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By Trenten Scheidegger
MANDY FIELDS PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
Senior power house Sean Ormiston grinds his way through the defense earning the first down.
think we’ve just been more physical then our opponents have been. I won’t take anything against Aquin, Aurora-Christian, or Orangeville but we have just been more physical up front and our skill guys have been more physical. On top of that our guys have just done a great job
executing everything we have asked them to do.” Arand also shared thanks with the community for their support and help to clean off the field prior to the game, saying “You know what, our community is great they do anything we put out there, they’ll be there in flying colors and they were
again this past week.” Isaiah Bruce discussed his versatility on the team saying “It’s tough. Ever since I was a freshman they’ve put me everywhere but I’m glad I’m making a difference for the team.”
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