The Marengo Panthers roared back from a 12-0 halftime deficit to move to 2-0 in 1A Region 1 play, downing J.F. Shields 20-12.

Shields had used a pair of rushing touchdowns and solid defense to open up a 12-0 halftime lead before a huge Marengo third quarter won them the ballgame. Quentin Bouler got things started with a huge defensive play, stepping in front of a Shields pass and returning the interception 25 yards to paydirt to get the Panthers back in the ball game.

The Panthers’ big play specialist Jeremy Dixon took over from there, first breaking loose on an 80-yard punt return for touchdown. An extra point by Daniel Ottesen gave the Panthers their first lead at 13-12.

But Dixon wasn’t done, scoring on a 20-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 19-12, and Ottesen’s second extra point gave the Panthers 20 points in the quarter and a lead they would not relinquish.

The Panthers finished the game with 236 total yards of offense on their way to improving to 2-1 on the year.