On a warm late summer afternoon – hamburgers on the grill behind the press box, the stands full with students and parents (some of them quite vocal) – the Rappahannock County High School varsity football team opened its season Saturday with a 26-12 victory against Clear Spring High School of Clear Spring, Md.

Despite some early mistakes, both teams looked well practiced and executed well. There were some great plays from both teams, but in the end, the Panthers' kicking game, field position and relentless, blitzing defense were decisive to its victory.

The Panthers also played without their starting quarterback, Daniel Rollins, who was ill, and their running back (No. 21 Brook Stokes) who was hurt in the second quarter. Matt Fletcher filled in admirably for Rollins.

"For their first game, they did pretty well," said Panthers' coach Bob Czekaj. He said the Panthers played a team with larger players and were handicapped by not having their starting quarterback, and running back for the entire game.

Clear Spring did not have a kicker (or a punter for that matter) and as a result, the Panthers began most of their drives with excellent field position, and the Panther’s Dean Hogan's (No. 88) booming kicks kept Clear Spring deep in their own territory.

The Panthers won the toss and elected to receive. Matt Taylor took the short kick for a nice return to the Panther 42 yard line setting up the offense with excellent position for the first drive. Brook Stokes fumbled the ball on the first play, however, he made up for it on defense by intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown to take the lead 6 – 0.

Clear Spring came right back with a 40 -yard pass from No. 15 to No. 1 that was right on the money. A few fumbles, false starts and straight ahead plays later, Clear Spring get on the board with a hand-off sweep right for a touchdown. They attempted a two point conversion, but the quarter back was sacked by No. 57, Matt Adams.

Clear Spring clearly had trouble with its kicking game, and was never able to kick deep into Panther territory consequently setting the Panthers up with good field position with several squib kicks, blocked punts and shanks to the sideline.

No. 5, Matt Fletcher – filling in for Rollins at the last minute – and after some solid plays and what looked like a scoring drive that took the Panthers to the Clear Spring 10 yard line, fumbled on a quarterback keeper which was recovered by Clear Spring and returned 90 yards for a score. Clear Spring regained the lead 6 –12.

Another kick-off squib put the Panthers again in excellent field position. Solid running by No. 21 – Stokes – got them down the field with Coach Bob Czekaj calling in a reverse that Stokes ran for a 20-yard gain. After a hand off to Stokes for a loss, Fletcher connected again with Stokes out of the backfield with a nice pass and run to the end zone. However, the touchdown was called back on a holding penalty. Two plays later, Stokes got hit hard and left the game with a knee injury. The Panther’s Dean Hogan attempted a field goal, but he missed wide.

Clear Spring took over at its 20-yard line but made no gains, and its punt was blocked by Stokes and recovered by No. 74 Jeremy Diley in the end zone. Matt Fletcher kept the ball on the two-point conversion and ran into the end zone for the score. The Panthers retake the lead 14-12.

Clear Spring fumbled the kick-off and the ball was recovered by No. 52 Steven Mallory. However, the Panther's next drive ended with an interception. Clear Spring then put together a solid drive down field, but the half ended without another score.

In the second half, Clear Spring received, but was out in four. Its punt was short and the Panthers took over at the Clear Spring 45. Three plays later, the Panthers score but miss the extra point. The score was 20-12.

Clear Spring put together some good drives, but field position and the Panther defense prevented them from scoring again. On another short punt by Clear Spring, the Panthers get the ball at their own 30. Matt Fletcher connected with No. 88 Hogan for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Coach Czekaj called a swinging gate on the two point attempt, but Matt Fletcher just barely missed the end zone on a sweep left keeping the score at 26-12.

Clear Spring made a good effort with a couple of drives, but time ran out and the Panther's claim their first victory.

The Panthers had 261 yards of total offense – 117 yards rushing and 144 yards passing. Logan McKiernan on defense intercepted two passes. Matt Adams had 12, and Kim Barroso nine tackles in a fine defensive effort for the Panthers.