Camden McEnaney wraps up from behind to get the sack on the Pattonsburg quarterback.

Reed Miller wraps up tight on a kick-off return.

Ryder Herron and Cade Makings go high low on the Panther receiver.

Jack Meyerkorth gets an interception and brings it back to the 20 yard line.

Running back Dakota Evans gets around the end to find open field and takes it to the end zone.

Rock Port traveled to Pattonsburg to play their season opener against the Panthers on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The first half was a battle of offenses exchanging scores.

The Panthers won the toss and elected to receive the ball. Following the kickoff, Pattonsburg went to the air throwing on almost every down, moving the ball to the 20 yard line before throwing an pass intercepted by Jack Meyerkorth. This would set up the first score for the Jays with senior running back Dakota Evans making a 65 yard touchdown run. The two point was no good, giving the Jays the early lead.

The Panthers would answer, tieing the game at 6-6. Rock Port would take their next possession back down the field where Dakota Evans would punch it in for five yards out, ending the first quarter 12-6 Rock Port.

Both Rock Port and Pattonsburg would score 20 points each in the second quarter, giving the Jays the lead at halftime 32 to 26. Scoring in the second quarter started with a 43 yard catch and run from Tayden Cook to Cade Makings, followed by a 15 yard run by Evans. During the second quarter, quarterback Tayden Cook would take a shot to the helmet taking him out of the game and moving Cade Makings to quarterback. Corbyn Jakub would catch a quick out and go 35 yards to the end zone. Makings’ two point was good.

The Panthers came out in the second half and scored three  touchdowns and took the lead, but the Jays would answer back in the fourth quarter, scoring two more times, once with a dive from Makings and the other a pass from Makings to Camden McEnaney. The final score was 46 Jays to 54 Panthers.

The Rock Port Blue Jays will have their home opener this Friday against Stanberry. Game time is 7:00 p.m.