The Rugby High School Panthers, like many of the other Class A football teams, opened their 2026 season on Friday, Aug. 21.

The Panthers opened their new season on their home turf, ending the night with a solid win against the Stanley Blue Jays at 26-6.

The Panthers were first on the scoreboard with their young quarterback, sophomore Levi Wentz, scoring on a four-yard rush.

The Panthers were up 6-0 when they scored their second touchdown of the night on a 28-yard pass to junior Kasen Halvorson.

The Panthers scored once again in the third and fourth quarters. One successful two-point conversion secured a 26-0 lead for the Panthers.

The Blue Jays secured a touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers were able to hold on to their lead, giving them their first win of the season.

Wentz led the team to victory on Friday night, securing three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown, while also accumulating 48 rushing yards individually.

Junior running back Alec Bohl had 19 carries through Friday night’s game for a total of 116 yards and senior Jove Risovi had six carries for a total of 48 yards.