Thursday night’s football game between Northwestern and Panther Valley went like most people expected.

The Tigers, last year’s state runner-up in Class 3A and the defending District 11 champion, won easily over the Panthers, 64-0.

The game, played at Northwestern, was a quarterfinal contest.

Northwestern, which has been to the state finals the past three years (a winner in 2024) was dominating from the start, pouncing to a 37-0 first quarter lead. The final score could have been higher, but the Tigers integrated their subs by the half.

Sophomore quarterback Trey Snyder played a major role in the lopsided victory, completing all seven of his pass attempts in the first half and rushing for 78 yards on three carries.

He ran for one touchdown of 26 yards and passed for two others, first connecting with senior wide receiver Michael Lagowy in a play which covered 57 yards, then tossing to tight end Harrison Wertman for a 13-yard score.

“They’re a very good team,” said Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

The game began with the Panthers showing a glint of stubbornness.

They started at the 20 when the NW kickoff went into the end zone. A pair of completed passes by quarterback Cy Maynard moved the ball to the 30 and a first down.

But a stout Tiger defense showed why the team has been able to limit six of its opponents this season to one touchdown or less. The Tigers allowed PV just two more yards and forced them to punt.

Then Northwestern’s well-equipped offense took over and put up a whopping 37 points in the opening frame.

The Tigers scored every time they had the ball in the first half, using multiple weapons.

Their first possession was the result of a punt that senior receiver Brady Zimmerman returned 14 yards to the Tiger 49.

Snyder, on a keeper, raced up the left side to the Panther 16. Then Zimmerman, a senior, broke through left tackle and carried into the end zone for the six points. A pass from Snyder to Zimmerman gave NW an 8-0 lead.

On its next possession, which began at the Tigers’ own 43, Snyder threw in the flat to Lagowy, who cut to his left and fled 57 yards to pay dirt. An extra-point kick by Grayson Smith made it 15-0.

The home team’s next possession started at the Panther 27. Four plays moved the ball to the one. Junior Chase Sukanick finished the job.

The fourth drive began with the Tigers getting the ball on the PV 26. Snyder passed to Sterling for 13 yards, and then to Wertman for another 13 yards and the score.

The scoring spree wasn’t over.

Landon Gauweiler intercepted a Panther pass on the Northwestern 49. Sukanick then ran the 51 yards for the six points. The kick after by Smith made the score 37-0 with 54 seconds left in the first quarter.

In that first quarter, Northwestern had seven first downs while the Panthers had one. NW had 86 rushing yards on six carries compared to five for PV. The Tigers had 83 passing yards as Snyder went 3-for-3 to three different receivers, while PV completed six of 13 passes for a total of 18 yards.

In the second quarter, the Tigers scored two quick touchdowns to make the score 50-0 with 6:46 still left in the half.

The Panthers held onto the ball for the final six minutes of the half, covering 32 yards on nine plays before time expired, leaving them stranded on the Tiger 46.

WHAT’S NEXT? ... The loss ends the season for PV (4-7). Northwestern, whose record is 10-1, will play Executive Education next Friday in Tiger Stadium at 7 p.m. Executive advanced to the semifinals with a 41-18 win last night over Palmerton.

PV QUARTERBACK REACHES A MILESTONE ... Quarterback Cy Maynard of Panther Valley, who passed for 34 yards, reached 1,000 for the year. For Maynard, a 6-3, 170 pound junior, this is his first year of varsity football.

PEBBLE’S A ROLLING STONE ... For the Panthers, the leading yard-gainer rushing was senior Gabriel Rodriguez, whose nickname is “Pebble.” Rodriguez gained over 40 yards, all in the second half.

BAND FUN ... In the second half, the NW band was permitted to leave. Four members of the band opted to stay and sit with the Panther Valley band, playing selections with the visitors.

N’western 64, Panther Vy. 0

Panther Valley 0 0 0 0 - 0

Northwestern 37 13 7 7 - 64

NW - Zimmerman 16 run (Zimmerman pass from Snyder)

NW - Lagowy 57 pass from Snyder (Smith kick)

NW - Sukanick 1 run (Gauweiler pass from Smith)

NW - Wertman 13 pass from Snyder (Smith kick)

NW - Sukanick 51 run (Smith kick)

NW - Snyder 26 run (Smith kick)

NW - Whitney 18 pass from Snyder (kick failed)

NW - Griffith 18 interception return (Smith kick)

NW - Spatz 24 fumble recovery (Smith kick)