Fulton County Ohio Media

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Archbold quarterback Kurt Krueger connected with wide receiver Broden Piercefield from nine yards out at the left front corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:01 left in the game, completing a furious comeback from an early 17-point deficit to edge the visiting Delta Panthers 28-24 on Friday night.  The late score dealt the Panthers their first loss of the season after starting the 2024 campaign with four consecutive victories.

Delta entered the contest undefeated by relying on their vaunted running game and a strong run defense.  The Panthers used that running game to drive down the field for a Brady Roth 25-yard field goal on their first offensive series then added an Emric Priess 1-yard plunge for 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Following an Archbold turnover, Delta struck again, this time with a 20-yard Priess to Richard Flores pass to put the Panthers up 17-0.

The Blue Streaks finally got their offense in gear and pulled within 17-7 on a 19-yard Jarett Rufenacht to Piercefield touchdown pass to close the gap as the teams headed to halftime.  Neither team was able to score in the third quarter, but Archbold had shifted the momentum in their favor entering the final quarter. 

The Blue Streaks scored early in the fourth quarter and trailed just 17-14.  Delta took the ensuing kickoff and kept pounding the ball in the middle with Panther work horse, Landon Lintermoot, carrying most of the load.  When the Panthers reached midfield, Lintermoot broke through the defensive line and ran 50-yards for the score, giving back Delta’s 10-point advantage late in the game.

After starting Streak quarterback, Rufenacht was injured on a play, Krueger came in and, on a third and 16-yard situation threw a pass to a streaking Morgan Harris who then outraced the Delta defenders for a 71-yard touchdown and Archbold was within three points, 24-21.  The Panthers were able to move into Blue Streak territory after receiving the kickoff but were eventually forced to give the ball back to Archbold with time running down.  With Krueger still guiding the offense, the Streaks moved down the field with short pass and run plays, finally setting the stage for the winning touchdown.

Lintermoot led the Delta offense with 26 carries for 179 yards and one touchdown.  Vincent Martinez had 37 yards on seven rushes.  In the air, Priess completed two passes on 15 attempts for 53 yards and one score.  The Panther defense forced three turnovers with two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

The Archbold offense racked up 408 yards with Ryder Ryan picking up 98 of the Streaks’ 154 rushing yards and Rufenacht and Krueger combining to go 18 of 32 for 254 yards and three touchdowns.  The Archbold defense grabbed four turnovers with two interceptions and two recovered fumbles.

The victory moves the Blue Streak record to 1-1 in the league and 3-2 overall.  They will travel to Evergreen this Friday to take on the Vikings.  Delta drops to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in the NWOAL.  The Panthers will celebrate Homecoming this Friday as they welcome in the Swanton Bulldogs.

Delta Panthers:  10-7-0-7 = 24

Archbold Blue Streaks:  0-7-0-21 = 28

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Broden Piercefield hauls in the pass from Kurt Krueger for the winning touchdown