On what was a very late night–and just minutes away from an early morning–the Vandals fell at Pana to open their 2023 football season, losing 46 to 34.
The start time for the game was already pushed back 1 hour due to the extreme heat and humidity. Then, at 8:36 pm with 10:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, officials called for a lightning delay. That lightning delay would last for one, 16 minutes although no storms actually approached the Pana area. And, that led to a game that did not end until 11:54 pm.
At the time of the delay, the Vandals were down 15 to 6 but did score very quickly after the return to action on a 56 yard TD run from Andrew Kelly, to cut the Pana lead to 15 to 13. But, Pana would then score 3 straight TDs to open the lead up to 33 to 13 midway through the 3rd quarter. After the teams traded TDs and it was 39 to 20 midway through the 4th quarter, the Vandals got another long running TD from Andrew Kelly–this one 44 yards–to cut the Pana lead to 39 to 28 with a successful 2 point conversion. The Vandals would then recover the onside kick and just 13 seconds later would get back on the scoreboard with a 50 yard TD strike from Andrew Kelly to Landon Christian. That cut the Pana lead to 39 to 34 with 5:19 remaining.
On their next possession, Pana faced a 3rd and 8 deep in their own territory, but the Panthers converted on a long passing play and then eventually added another score to get the final to 46 to 34.
The Vandals are now 0-1 on the season. They will host Staunton next Friday.
