By Matt M. Stutz

The OHSAA Division VII, Region 26 Round 2 match-up between the #7 Pandora-Gilboa Rockets (9-3) and #2 North Baltimore Tigers (10-0) featured perfect November weather, fifteen touchdowns, and 105 points scored. P-G’s “Mr Everything” Chase Meyer, scored five touchdowns and an interception, as the Rockets outlasted and upset the Tigers in an offensive shootout 63-42.

North Baltimore opened the game showing they were going to play aggressive. On 4th down and inches, the Rocket defense made the stop, giving P-G a short field. A 23-yard pass from quarterback Cory Gerten to receiver Zahnder Boggs with 8:12 left in the opening quarter gave P-G the early lead. Layton Cannode’s extra point kick made it 7-0.  P-G extended their lead after the defense forced a North Baltimore punt. Chase Meyer received the kick, broke a couple tackles and took it to the house from 40 yards out, putting P-G up 14-0.  The Tigers responded in three plays, closing the gap to 14-6.

Second quarter action was a wild offensive fireworks show. Both teams combined for fifty points. P-G went up 21-7 early in the quarter as Ben Burkholder scored on a 17-yard run. The Tigers came back one minute later and made it 21-14.

On P-G’s next three possessions, “Gerten Through the Air” was the call for three more touchdowns. The first covered 23 yards to Meyer with 8:11 to go until halftime. After a P-G defensive 4th down stop, Gerten and Meyer hooked up again for a quick 41-yard strike. The Tigers responded with 4:44 to go before halftime, pulling within 35-20. But the P-G offensive explosion continued. Gerten found receiver Brayden Ferguson for a 24-yard touchdown with just :49 left in the half. Cannode was a perfect six-for-six on PAT kicks in the first half, stretching the lead to 42-20.   

North Baltimore saved the biggest first-half highlight for last. A 74-yard touchdown pass and 2-point attempt with :02 remaining allowed the Tigers to climb to 42-28 at the halftime break.

In the second half, Burholder had a big 21-yard run setting up the score as Gerten connected with Meyer for a 6-yard touchdown pass and catch; extending the lead to 49-28. The Tigers answered right back with a touchdown and a diving 2-point conversion catch to close the gap to 49-36 as the third quarter came to an end.

Early in the fourth quarter, P-G took control. Facing a fourth and goal from the 1, Gerten bulldozed his way in, to make the score 56-36. Then Chase Meyer took over, making the defensive play of the game on the ensuing Tiger possession. Meyer  intercepted a Tiger pass attempt, and returned it to the North Baltimore 45-yard line.  On the very next play, Gerten found Meyer for a 45-yard touchdown pass play, their 5th touchdown connection of the game.  

With 7:36 left in the game, P-G staked claim to a commanding 63-36 lead. Cannode finished the game perfect on PAT kicks, hitting all nine.

With the win, P-G (9-3) will play BVC rival Leipsic (11-1) on Friday, November 14 in the Division VII, Region 26 semi-final match-up. The two teams met up in Pandora earlier in the season with Leipsic coming from behind in the 4th quarter to sneak out of town with a 12-7 win.

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