IMBLER – The Prairie City football team struggled in the first half against Imbler on Aug. 31 and lost 52-16.

“Our defense didn’t play well early on in the game,” said Panther Head Coach Scott Hoberg. “Our offense was able to move the ball on them, but we made some mistakes.”

One of the mistakes came when the Panthers fumbled on their own 10-yard line in the second quarter, and Imbler ran the ball back for a touchdown. Imbler was up 30-8 at halftime.

“We just weren’t consistent throughout the entire game,” said Hoberg. “Imbler is a very good team, and they’re the type of team we could compete with toward the end of the season.”

Hoberg added that the Panthers’ defense picked up their intensity and played much better in the second half. Offensively, wide receiver George Wickhorst caught a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion, and Hoberg said Colt Schultz had a good game at running back.

Next up, the Panthers will travel to Pine Eagle Sept. 14 to take on the Spartans at 2 p.m.