FOOTBALL: Foyil snaps skid, powers past Welch for first win of season

For three-consecutive years, Foyil had left its game against Welch battered and frustrated, outscored 174-52 in the process.

However, the Panthers finally flipped the script Friday night.

Behind a punishing ground attack and a relentless defense, Foyil rolled to a 28-12 road victory to end its three-game losing streak to the Wildcats.

It also marked Welch’s second-consecutive home loss to a Rogers County foe after falling 50-12 to Claremore Christian a week earlier.

The Panthers [1-1] leaned on a two-headed rushing monster to set the tone.

Kaige Baxter gashed the Wildcats for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns on runs of 42 and 15 yards, while also tossing for 42 yards through the air. Virgil Pendergraft added 119 yards rushing and a 35-yard touchdown, caught a 42-yard pass and electrified the crowd with a 40-yard kickoff return score while also contributing 7 tackles on defense.

Orasio Flores chipped in 80 yards rushing and provided steady play defensively with 3 tackles, while the front seven suffocated Welch throughout the night.

Cale Gordon led the charge with 12 tackles, including 2 for loss and a safety, while Kolbey Sanders picked off a pass and added a sack as part of his 10-tackle night. Jaccob Dorsey tallied 8 stops, 4 of them behind the line, and a sack.

Foyil struck first when Gordon knifed into the backfield for a safety, setting the tone for a physical night. The Panthers stretched the lead to 20-0 by the third quarter, highlighted by Baxter’s long touchdown run and Pendergraft’s 35-yard sprint to the end zone.

The Wildcats [1-2] finally broke through midway through the third, but the Panthers answered immediately as Pendergraft took the ensuing kickoff 40 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-6.

Baxter capped Foyil’s scoring with his second rushing touchdown of the night before Welch added a late score to cut the deficit to the final margin.

The Panthers limited the Wildcats to just 2 touchdowns despite extended possessions, racking up multiple sacks, 2 turnovers and double-digit tackles for loss as they harassed Welch's backfield all evening.

Foyil hosts South Coffeyville [1-1] at 7 p.m. Friday.