Freshmen football drops narrow decision to Washington

They were this close.

The Mt. Pleasant freshmen football team fell to Washington by one point and just a few inches on Friday evening.

Mt. Pleasant was down 27-26 when it got a chance at a last-second, 30-yard field goal. The kick missed, just wide right.

The Panthers had been leading at the half, 14-7, but gave up 20 points in the last two quarters while scoring only 12 to put themselves in a precarious position as the clock counted down.

The game did not end in their favor, but Coach Kirby Booton saw some improvement in his young players: ?The kids are getting better,? he said.

On the night, Darren Hunter had 87 yards rushing, including two 6-yard touchdown carries.

Korte Maddy had one 6-yard and one 14-yard touchdown run. He finished with 37 rushing yards on the night.

Joe Hess had 152 yards passing, and also connected with Keegan Pullis for a two-point conversion.

Levi Stevens had 105 yards receiving.

Booton notes Colten Mertens, Pullis and Cameron Keomanivong as key players on the Panther defense.

The freshmen play again Friday when they host Keokuk at Mapleleaf Atheltic Complex at 5 p.m., their final home game of the season.