Panthers, McLain knock off Mohawks to earn first win

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake Panthers are a healthy team. But there is one “disease” Panthers’ head coach Kevin Hutchison hopes his team catches.

“It was great. The kids have been working so hard this year. They deserved to win,” said Hutchison. “I’m just glad they got one. Hopefully, that’s contagious and we can get some more.”

Panthers’ quarterback K.J. McLain was 18 of 27 passing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in one of the program’s best passing performances.

Jaden Washington caught 5 passes for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns and Peyton Muncy had 3 receptions for 73 yards and a score. Aden Parrott added 75 yards on 3 catches and Jonas Washington 29 yards on 2 grabs.

Chesapeake had 30 yards rushing on 13 attempts for 330 total yards.

On the defensive side, Muncy and Branch had 7 tackles each and the Panthers recovered 4 fumbles including Branch’s touchdown return.

The Panthers recovered a fumble on the second play of the game and McLain hit Jaden Washington with a 32-yard scoring strike and a 6-0 lead.

The pair hooked up again in the second quarter for a 9-yard touchdown pass and the two-point conversion made it 14-0.

The defense took over and Branch scooped up a fumble and ran it 9 yards for a touchdown and Lilly Helmstetler kicked the first of 3 extra points and it was 21-0

Jaden Washington ran 4 yards with a pitchout for a score just before the half and it was 28-0.

The Panthers got their final score in the third quarter as Muncy made a leaping catch in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown pass play from McLain and it was 35-0.

Northwest  0 0    0 6 = 6

Chesapeake 6 22 7 0 = 35

First Quarter

Ch — Jaden Washingon 32 pass from K.J. McLain (kick failed)

Second Quarter

Ch — Jaden Washington 9 pass from K.J. McLain (run good)

Ch — Marquis Branch 9 fumble recovery (Lilly Helmstetler kick)

Ch — Jaden Washington 4 run (Lilly Helmstetler kick)

Third Quarter

Ch — Peyton Muncy 26 pass from K.J. McLain (Lilly Helmstetler kick)

Fourth Quarter

NW — Not available

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING — Northwest: NA; Chesapeake: Marquis Branch 4-26, Peyton Muncy 2-0, Colten Huffman 3-19, Jaden Washington 1-4 TD, K.J. Mclain 2-minus 20, Alex Witt 1-1.

PASSING — Northwest: NA; Chesapeake: K.J. McLain 18-27-0 300 3-TD, Noah Sites 1-1-0 1.

RECEIVING — Northwest: NA; Chesapeake: Jaden Washington 5-89 2-TD, Aden Parrott 3-75, Easton Lewis 2-15, Jonas Washington 2-29, Peyton Muncy 3-73 TD, Marquis Branch 2-11, Colten Huffman 2-9.