Kade Leier (#34) and Ethan Morin (#35) play defense to catch an airborne ball.

In preparation for their first game, the Rugby Panthers had two scrimmages last week in Minot.

The Panthers scrimmaged against two teams not in their division: the Stanley-Powers Lake Bluejays from AA-West Region, and the Minot High Magicians from AAA-West Region.

Panthers head coach Scott Grochow said the scrimmages were a learning experience for both players and coaches.

“We did some good things and found several things to work on. We got a chance to take a look at a lot of different people,” Grochow said. “We just need to make sure we understand the basics and we all work together to be on the same page.”

The Panthers opened their season on the road Friday against the Bishop Ryan Lions at Duane Carlson field in Minot. The Panthers’ first home game will be Sept. 2 against Carrington.

Quarterback Anders Johnson looks to get out of the pocket during a scrimmage last week in Minot. The Panthers scrimmaged with Minot High school's varsity (shown in maroon uniforms) and Stanley-Powers Lake.

The Panthers play 11-man football in Class A-Region 2. Other teams in this region include the Harvey-Wells County Hornets, Lakota-Edmore-Dakota Prairie Raiders, Langdon Area-Munich Cardinals, Larimore Polar Bears, and the Park River-Fordville-Lankin Aggies.

– Tribune Staff Report