BUFFALO NEWS


SECTION VI FOOTBALL
Sweet Home gets jump on Grand Island

9/22/2002
When Sweet Home lost to Grand Island last year, the loss cost it a home playoff game and the Class A North Division title. The Panthers weren't going to let that happen again.

Sweet Home rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on Saturday to beat the host Vikings, 26-13. With his team trailing, 13-12, after three periods, William Fernandez made a one-handed catch of a Grant Schulte pass and scored to give Sweet Home the lead for good. It was Schulte's sixth TD pass of the season.

Sweet Home added to its lead after Corey Harge intercepted a pass giving his team possession on the Grand Island 35. Todd Robertson punched it in a few plays later from the 1-yard line. Harge finished with 136 yards. The Panther defense held Grand Island to 91 yards total offense.

"Last year we lost in the third game of the season to them (7-6), and it decided home field for the playoffs and we had to go to Pioneer," said Sweet Home coach John Faller. "I don't know if we'll have the same scenario - there's five more games to go - but this (win) had a lot of weight to it."

Sweet Home (3-0) is ranked No. 4 in The News poll while Grand Island (2-1) is No. 5.