Cougars beat Panthers first game

"In my opinion, there were two different games played," Saratoga Head Football Coach Logan Wright said. "Until the middle of the 3rd quarter, we were playing competitively and then the wheels sort of came off."

Wright said, until that time, the score was 14-20 in favor of Wind River.

The first half of the game was going fine for the Panthers. Both teams were playing even.

In the beginning of the 2nd half, the Cougars got more points on the board but the Panthers were not worried. 

"We played well before the middle of the 3rd quarter and then it was like we couldn't play the game we had, up to this point," Wright said. "There was one drive just before when Wind River was driving to score and we forced a fumble. I was feeling we had a shot being down only by a touchdown."

Wright said the Wind River team had some large players and the Panthers fought well to keep them under control.. 

"The boys did well up to this point and then Wind River scored," Wright said. "We went from being down a touchdown to two and that was already a bit daunting but not impossible. Then they scored again."

Wright admits his team is not quite ready to sub out players and this makes it hard on the team until the Panthers get a little more experience.

Wind River, a team from another conference, is a strong physical team and a good choice for getting ready for conference play. 

"It is a good test," Wright said. "It would have been excellent to pull off a win against a team like Wind River, but the real focus is to improve from what we learned playing," Wright said. "No coach likes to lose, but we do like to learn from our mistakes."

The Panthers have shown their coach from this game, although it did go south at the end, some players are doing well.

"We have a new player named Finn Rosleth who always ran cross country," Wright said. "I guess I figured because he had never played football, he would be shy, but during the game he proved himself in kick returns. He is fast and showed me he is going to be an asset."

Quarterback Frank Crimmins has earned his place as starter, Wright said. 

"I honestly think it is the best team I have coached since I came to Saratoga five years ago," Wright said. "We are strong and we have kids that have been together for four years. I think the game we had this week will really prepare us for the week coming up. We had some good balance and what needs improving, we will work on."

The Moorcroft Wolves is the next team the Panthers will be playing next week on September 9 in Moorcroft. It is a conference game. The Wolves are 0-1.