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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Mt. Pleasant downed in road trip at Burlington
Panthers go down three scores early, can’t make it up in bout with Grayhounds
BURLINGTON — Things started out tough and only got tougher in Mt. Pleasant’s trip to Burlington’s Bracewell Staduim on Friday night.
The Panthers faced adversity right from the get as they found themselves down three scores within three minutes on the way to a 42-14 loss to the Grayhounds.
It was the perfect start to the Grayhounds homecoming.
On the opening kickoff, Burlington’s Darius Shealey set the tone with a 83 yard kick return touchdown.
After a turnover on downs by the Panthers on their opening drive, Shealey popped off another big play.
This time, Shealey slipped through the Mt. Pleasant defense and darted down the sideline 56 yards for six more to give the Grayhounds a 14-0 lead.
Things only got worse for the Panthers, as a strip sack fumble was taken back 37 yards on their next offensive play to make it a 21-0 ballgame after just three minutes.
The Panther defense was able to hold the Grayhounds for the rest of the first quarter, but the offense could never find a rhythm in the first half.
Mt. Pleasant was shutout in the first two quarters, while Burlington took a 35-0 lead into the half after scoring 14 more in the second quarter.
The Panthers were able to find some success late in the third quarter as Payton Walker crossed the goal line from three yards out, but the Grayhounds scored one of their own to match.
Cooper Coleman, who substituted an injured Zach Newton at quarterback, also picked up six after connecting with Lou Schimmelpfennig from 18 yards out.
The Panthers will head out on the road once again next Friday as they will take on Mount Vernon.
