Panthers set Prep Bowl rushing record

Four hundred fifteen yards rushing? In one game? Stop it.

Of course, that's easier said than done. DeLaSalle was the latest team to come up short in that regard against Glencoe-Silver Lake, falling 42-21 to the Panthers in the Class 3A championship game Saturday at the Metrodome.

GSL, which defeated the Islanders 56-20 in last year's 3A title game, relied on its renowned running game a little more this time.

The Panthers' 415 rushing yards set a Prep Bowl record, surpassing the 414 yards amassed by Stephen-Argyle Central in 2003.

"That's a tribute to our offensive linemen,'' said junior running back Aaron Lueders, who rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries. "They are as hard-working a group as you'll find anywhere. They just plow people out of the way and make the running backs' job easy.''

All five of GSL's starting linemen are seniors, and they played like the veteran, tight group they have become.

"We've known each other since seventh grade,'' center Josh Noga said. "We've played together every year. It's fun to play with those guys and to block for our backs.''

Quarterback Kyler Anderson led the Panthers with 136 rushing yards on 13 carries. He scored a pair of touchdowns.

DeLaSalle's defense did a decent job of containing the Panthers on first and second down, but GSL was 9-for-14 on third-down conversions and 2-for-2 on fourth downs.

GSL led 14-0 and 21-7, but the Islanders came back to tie the score 21-21 before halftime. The Panthers scored on their first two possessions of the second half.

"We're known as a second-half team,'' Lueders said. That's not all they are known for on the field.