Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  It’s not often a high school football team can boast of 42 points in the first quarter, but the Nederland Panthers did just that in their homecoming game last Saturday against the Justice Phoenix.

The ultimate score was 62-18. Nederland now has a 4-2 record heading into its mountain rivalry rematch with the Gilpin County Eagles on Friday night.

Saturday’s game gave quarterback Jaylan Rasdall a chance to connect with Jack Abendroth for three touchdowns. Kenny Shankey ran the ball in for two touchdowns and many players had a chance to get off the bench and into the action.

Nederland moved into good position when Justice stalled out on their own 24 yard line. Austin O’melia picked up a first down and it was first and goal. Kenny Shankey ran the ball in and the score was 6-0.

Justice fumbled the ball which was recovered by Panther Bob Allen and Shankey ran the ball in for his second touchdown bringing the score to 12-0.

Justice fumbled the kickoff, which was recovered by Adler Mueller and Quin Kuechenmister carried the ball into the end zone. Rasdall’s pass to Jack Abendroth gave Nederland the conversion and the score was 20-0 with about six minutes left in the quarter.

A long Justice pass and run put them on the scoreboard. A Panther drive led to another Rasdall to Abendroth score and Rasdall ran in the two-point conversion for a 28-6 lead which was answered by another long Phoenix run to score, 28-12.

Tucker Carr returned the Justice kickoff to the Justice 37 yard line and a beauty of a pass was completed to Abendroth for a touchdown and Rasdall ran into the end zone for the conversion. The score was now 36-12.

A fumble turned the ball over to the Panthers who began a long drive resulting in a touchdown, for a 42-12 score before the quarter ended.

In the second quarter, Rasdall scored a touchdown  and kicker Carr made the PAT, 49-12. With three minutes left in the half, O’melia scored and Carr made another PAT and the 56-12 score meant the rest of the game would be a running clock.

At halftime, the Nederland Homecoming floats paraded around the field.

Jack Abendroth was named the Overall Player of the Game; Kenny Shankey was the Offensive Player of the Game; Quin Kuechenmeister was the Defensive Player of the Game and Caleb Pugmire was the Special Teams Player of the Game.

Score by quarter:

42-12, 14-0, 0-0, 6-6

Individual statistics:

Passing: Rasdall, 10/22 for 128 yards

Rushing: Adler Mueller, 1 yard; Jaylan Rasdall, 10 carries for 85 and 1 td; Kenny Shankey, 7 carries for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns; Quin Kuechenmeister, 2 carries for 33 yards and 1 touchdown; Aubrey Charlson, 1 carry for 3 yards; Austin O’melia, 8 carries for 71 yards and 1 touchdown; Rhode Hessner 1 carry for 6 yards

Receiving: Jack Abendroth, 9 receptions for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns; Quin Kuechenmeister, 1 reception for 3 yards

Tackles: Caleb Pugmire, 7 tackles; Michael Wood, 6 tackles; Adler Mueller, 3 tackles; Kenny Shankey, 4 tackles; Trig Campbell, 1 tackle; Jack Abendroth, 1 tackle; Quin Kuchenmeister, 2 tackles; Aubrey Charlston, 2 tackles; Hunter Childote, 1 tackle; Layton Kasch, 2 tackles; Robert Allen, 4 tackles; Aswin Malla 2 tackles; Taylor Hoffman, 1 tackle; Tucker Carr, 5 tackles

Sacks: Austin O’melia: 1 sack; Robert Allen, 2 sacks

Fumble Recovery: Adler Mueller, 1; Quin Kuechenmeister, 1; Austin O’melia, 1; Robert Allen, 2

Kickoffs: Tucker Carr, 10 for 409 yards, including a 60 yard kick

Punts: Tucker Carr, 1 punt for 35 yards

Kickoff Returns: Caleb Pugmire: 2 returns for 72 yards; Quin Kuechenmeister 1 for 25 yards; Tucker Carr, 1 return for 45 yards

PAT: Tucker Carr, 2 points

Conversions: Jack Abendroth, 1; Jaylan Rasdall, 2