Box Score DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Hanover football team opened the spring 2021 season on Saturday afternoon as they headed to Defiance. The Panthers forced three turnovers rolling to the 56-12 victory. With the win, Hanover moves to 1-0 overall.
 
Junior Matthew Weimer (Georgetown, Ind.) posted a career afternoon for the Panthers as he rushed for a career-best four touchdowns. The junior collected 37 yards on seven carries. He tallied 134 yards through the air with his top target being senior Jared Frank (Louisville, Ky.).
 
The Panthers wasted little time getting on the board in the first quarter as they took the football 57-yards on seven plays for the go-ahead score, 7-0. With just 7:07 remaining in the opening stanza Weimer went to work finding Frank for a 38-yard completion that moved the ball into Yellow Jacket territory. Weimer took care of the rest as he rushed for a six-yard quarterback keeper that saw him land in the end zone.
 
Hanover added another score moments later in similar fashion as freshman Caleb Brewster (Hiram, Ga.) blocked a Defiance punt that landed the offense in scoring position. Weimer again delivered as he rushed ahead for six-yards and his second score of the afternoon, 14-0.
 
 The excitement continued for the Blue and Red in the second quarter as junior Mike Weaver (Louisville, Ky.) completed the scoop and score. The senior recovered a fumble at the Defiance 43-yard line taking the ball the distance for the touchdown with 14:45 to play before the half, 21-0.
 
The Panthers tacked on another score in the stanza following a Yellow Jacket turnover. Freshman Brody Luker (New Palestine, Ind.) claimed the takeaway as he hauled in an interception going 38-yards for the touchdown. The final dagger of the first half came off a Weimer keeper. The quarterback charted his third touchdown as he crossed the goal line giving HC the 35-6 halftime lead.
 
Weimer continued his impressive afternoon in the second half as he tallied his fourth and final touchdown. He took the Panthers 29-yards on eight plays with 7:19 to play in the third period rushing into the end zone for the 42-6 lead. The final score for Hanover came from sophomore Elijah Irvine (Louisville, Ky.) with a four-yard scamper. 
 
The Panthers return to action on Saturday, March 20 when they welcome Bluffton. Kick-off is set for 2:00 PM.