File Photo In this file photo Rugby junior Kiefer Fritz charges past a defender during the Panthers’ away game against Des Lacs-Burlington earlier in the 2025 season. Fritz threw the Panthers’ first touchdown pass in their game against the Harvey/Wells County Hornets on Friday, September 26.

The Rugby Panthers took on the Harvey/Wells County Hornets on Friday, September 26 and lost 14-35.

The Hornets took an early lead over the Panthers towards the end of the first quarter. Harvey/Wells County scored on a 28 yard touchdown pass from Hornets senior quarterback Carter Laber to senior wide receiver Jaxon Feist. The Hornets were able to secure the extra point and left the first quarter ahead 7-0 over the Panthers, but the Panthers were quickly able to respond in the second quarter of the game.

Panthers junior quarterback Kiefer Fritz had four receivers down field, but saw junior tight end Brody Berndt wide open. Fritz threw the pass and Berndt ran the ball all the way back to the endzone for a Panthers touchdown. The 79 yard passing touchdown was the Panthers’ longest play from the line of scrimmage so far in their 2025 season. An unsuccessful two-point conversion would leave the Panthers trailing the Hornets 6-7.

The Hornets were able to secure another touchdown on a three-yard run to widen their lead with just eight seconds left in the half. The Hornets once again secured the extra point to put them at 14-6 by the end of the half. The Hornets struck again in the third quarter, scoring on a 23-yard touchdown run. The Hornets secured their third extra point of the game to bring their lead to 21-6. The Hornets recovered a Panthers fumble just two minutes later and immediately scored again on a touchdown throw. The Hornets would score once more in the fourth quarter to bring their points for the game to put Harvey/Wells County up 35-6 after the extra point. The Panthers scored once more toward the end of the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Levi Wentz. The Panthers secured the two point conversion, leaving the score 35-14 for a Panthers loss. The Panthers walked away with a new record of 1-5 on the season.