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ST. GEORGE — The Pine View Panthers took another close win Friday night as they hosted the Cedar Reds in a 31-27 contest.
It was the Panthers' second one-score victory in a row. In fact, Friday's 4-point margin tied for Pine View's biggest win this season.
But Pine View head coach KJ Boyer has no problem with it.
"It doesn't (scare me), because it shows my kids that they're willing to fight," Boyer said. "Sometimes it's bad when you're winning by 30 all the time, because when it gets to a close game you won't know what to expect. I know what to expect in a close game; I have no faith lost, ever, in my boys."
Though the Panthers received to start the game, the offense left the field with nothing to show for the possession. The Panther defense, on the other hand, got the home crowd on their feet by forcing a turnover on downs. They sacked Reds quarterback Everett Kelling on the Pine View 44-yard line to let their offense return with great field position.
In just three plays and two minutes, the Panthers landed the first blow.
A touchdown was set up by a deep pass from Levi Shaw to Colt Falaniko that earned Pine View a first-and-goal on the 5-yard line. It took two tries, but sophomore running back Garrett Gwilliam darted into the end zone for his first career touchdown.
"It's crazy!" Gwilliam said. "I had to step up, it was heartful, it was great."
Cedar's next drive started on the 50-yard line, thanks to a big kick return by Krew Giles. This time, the Reds found a way against the tough defense. They relied heavily on Caleb Paule all night, and he showed his worth by tying the game at 7-7 with his first rushing touchdown of the evening.
The next score followed an interception, thrown by Kelling and picked off by Pine View's Paul Caver, which let the Panthers offense line up in Reds territory. Shaw lobbed a pass over the defensive line and into the hands of 6-foot-6 tight end Brock Harris to put the Panthers ahead with just under four minutes left in the half.
As those minutes turned into seconds, Paule found the end zone again on foot to even the score before halftime.
Cedar capitalized on the opportunity to take the lead by ending the drive on a fourth down Kelling pass to Dylan Crowley for a 29-yard touchdown.
The Reds followed their offensive spark by forcing a three-and-out, but Ethan Siddotti sacked Kelling for a loss of 8 yards, and an illegal forward pass took another 5 yards. Cedar was finally forced to punt, and a horse collar tackle during the return put the Panthers on the Reds' 13-yard line.
Maka Fiefia took the snap and forced his way in for the score, making it 21-21.
When Paule misplayed the kickoff, the Reds took the field on their own 6-yard line. Cedar was able to make up some ground, but Kelling threw his second interception of the game as the pass deflected off Crowley's chest and was tracked down by senior safety Cayson Himelright.
The Reds managed to hold the Panthers to a field goal; but after Luke Luekenga's attempt was good, they were still on the wrong end of a 24-21 score.
Needing some insurance, Gwilliam ran for his second touchdown before Cedar could answer.
"Lock in, play 'til you can't, and leave it all on the field," Gwilliam said.
Paule completed the hat trick before the game's end, scoring his third touchdown of the night with less than two minutes on the clock. It made the score 31-27, where it stayed.
"We need to keep doing what we're doing," Boyer, a graduate of Pine View, said. "We don't need to change anything. We're winning, battling; ugly or pretty, as long as you come away with a victory, that's what matters."
With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Reds (3-3) will return home to host the Dixie Flyers (1-5) next Friday. The Panthers will get to enjoy a bye week before welcoming last year's 4A champions Crimson Cliffs (5-2).
