HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers (2-3 overall, 2-0 HCAC) celebrated Homecoming with an impressive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Bluffton, 63-21.
Hanover was led on the afternoon by senior
Matthew Weimer (Gerogetown, Ind.) with a dominating performance of three touchdowns and 333 yards through the air. Sophomore
Blake Huffman (Columbus, Ind.) added two scores on the ground while sophomore
Mason Williams (Fort Mitchell, Ky.) picked up two through the air.
Defensively, junior
Caleb Brewster (Hiram, Ga.) led the effort picking up double digit stops with four of them solo.
Hanover scored early and often as they took their opening drive 86-yards on four plays with Williams finding the connection from Weimer in the endzone, 7-0.
The first quarter saw Hanover push the lead to two touchdowns at the 8:07 mark as Weimer found sophomore
Austin Oppel (Brandenburg, Ky.) for a 17-yard catch and score, 14-0.
The special team's claimed Hanover's third score of the opening frame as freshman
Billy Blevins (Carmel, Ind.) blocked a Beaver punt at the 6:01 mark that resulted in a scoop and score by freshman
Carter Giacone (Speedway, Ind.), 21-0.
Bluffton finally found the endzone with just under three minutes to play traveling 71-yards on 12 plays capped by a 33-yard reception, 21-7.
The final first quarter touchdown came by way of Wiliamson as he and Weimer linked up for the 44-yard connection, 28-7.
The Beavers added a score in the second quarter before another Panther offensive explosion. Senior
Devonte Hardiman (Princeton, Ind.) made his way into the score's column for the first time this season as he powered his way for a one-yard score, 35-14.
Hanover refused to let off the gas as they dealt two more first half touchdowns as both Oppel and Huffman made their ways into the endzone, 49-14.
The second half would see HC land two more scores as Huffman charted his second endzone appearance before a junior
Kolton Richardson (Kissimmee, Fla.) touchdown scramble propelled HC to the 63-21 victory.
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 15 when they travel to Manchester. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM.
