The Century Panthers secured a thrilling 28-20 victory over the Winona Winhawks on March 15, 2023, marking a significant turnaround from their previous season. After finishing last year with a record of 0-9, this win was a much-needed boost for the Panthers as they closed out the regular season on a high note at Paul Giel Field in Winona.
The game unfolded with a series of back-and-forth plays, but Century ultimately managed to fend off a late comeback from Winona. This season has seen the Panthers grow significantly, and their resilience was on full display as they held their ground against a team that had bested them in the last three season finales.
Coach Jon Vik expressed pride in his players, acknowledging the challenges they faced last season. “These are essentially the same crew that went through the hardship last year of not having a win,” he remarked. “To have beaten Owatonna, which is a huge win for us, is fantastic. But I think all the players would tell you that it’s not enough.”
The Panthers opened the scoring with a remarkable 60-yard touchdown run by senior Miles Tesch, who rushed for a total of 67 yards and one touchdown on just five carries. This initial score set the tone for the game, although Century was unable to convert the subsequent extra point.
Winona struck back when they capitalized on a Century fumble during a punt return. Brady Lundgren scored on a 1-yard run to put the Winhawks ahead 6-0, but their attempt for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful. Century regained the lead when junior Max Elliott rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass to junior Malakai Tankhamvang, bringing the score to 14-6.
Winona responded with a 17-yard rushing touchdown from Brady Wardwell, evening the score at 14-14 before Century managed to take the lead again. With just 33 seconds left in the first half, backup quarterback Cade Goergen connected with Tesch for a touchdown, ending the half with Century ahead 21-14.
The second half saw a defensive struggle, with both teams battling fiercely. Tesch and senior receiver Owin Gerber stood out on defense, each securing interceptions that kept Century in the lead. Winona’s final score came from a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Keller to Ethan Pruka, narrowing the gap to 28-20 after a blocked extra point attempt.
Elliott provided further security for Century with another touchdown run, extending their lead with 7:35 remaining in the game. In a dramatic finish, the Winhawks turned the ball over on downs with just 22 seconds left, sealing the win for the Panthers.
Despite the victory, Coach Vik emphasized that the team remains hungry for more. “None of these kids are satisfied with just having two wins,” he noted. With a record of 2-6, Century prepares to take on Owatonna again in the Section 1, Class 5A quarterfinals next Tuesday, looking to build on their recent successes.
As the season wraps up, the Panthers have proven they are not just celebrating a couple of wins but are on a path towards greater achievements.
