GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Biggs Wolverines got a down to the wire win in their first league game against the Maxwell Panthers at home on Friday, Sept. 27.

The packed Wolverine home crowd was roaring as #19 Jordan Hoff had a huge return on the opening kickoff to set up the offense with short field position for their first opening drive. The Wolverines then drove the ball down the field with a balance of throws and runs to eventually set up a touchdown where junior quarterback Skyler Long would scramble all over the backfield and eventually find a wide-open receiver. That wild play foreshadowed just how electric this game would be.

The Panthers and Wolverines then traded long, physical drives deep into the opponent’s territory, that ultimately ended with a turnover on downs and the no points scored. The first quarter ended with the Wolverines leading 6-0.

The second quarter started with the Wolverines trying to establish a running game with senior running back Davis Long but were eventually stopped resulting in a punt. After getting the ball back, The Panthers handed the ball off to junior running back Eric New who took it the length of the field and scored the Panthers first touchdown. The Wolverines answered right back with a fake pitch touchdown throw from Skyler Long.

At halftime, the score was 14-7 and what fans thought would be a tough, defensive game quickly turned into an offensive onslaught in the second half. The game sped up as both teams exchanged scores on the first three drives of the second half. After Maxwell scored their second touchdown of the game making the score 20-17, they kicked it deep to Jordan Hoff who was once again on his way to setting up the Wolverines with great field position. That was until Hoff fumbled while getting tackled and gave the ball right back to the Panthers to start the fourth quarter.

The Panthers the attacked the Wolverine defense with throws, eventually scoring a touchdown making the score 20-24 and taking the breath out of every Wolverine fan in the stadium. Once getting the ball back, Skyler Long took over with a flurry of runs moving the ball down the field in a hurry and scoring a rushing touchdown. The Wolverines were unsuccessful in their two-point conversion making the score 26-24 with 7:03 left on the clock. 

The Panthers slowly took the ball down the field by chipping away with runs. After converting on multiple third downs and moving the ball down the field, the clock ran inside of a minute when the Panthers decided to set up for a field goal on fourth down. After the Panthers and Wolverines traded timeouts, it was time for the kick. The snap was high, the Wolverine rush was fierce, and the ball never got off the ground securing the Wolverine win.

The Wolverines will take their 3-1 record on the road Friday, Oct. 4 against the Quincy Trojans after press time, while the Panthers must sit on their first loss of the season with a bye week this week but will return to action on Oct. 11 at home against the Trojans.