**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**
In one more of the more intriguing TVC matchups in week 3, the Birch Run Panthers would travel over to Frankenmuth to take on the Eagles. Frankenmuth has dominated much of this series for the latter of a decade. The Eagles have yet to really be tested, as they have cruised to wins in the first two weeks of the season. But they would take on a Birch Run team whose offense has averaged 49 points per game in their opening two games. The Panthers were chomping at the bit to grab one this Friday night. They would see if the Falcons would be willing to let go off the stranglehold they’ve had in the series.
Frankenmuth would get a little fancy on their first score of the game. They would score on the classic “hook and ladder” play when Aiden Hoard connected with Travis Brenner, who then flipped to Sam Barger for a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles were off and running, 6-0. Birch Run would come back right out of the gate when standout running back Kahleel Brown would find his way to paydirt on a 25-yard touchdown run, tying the game at six apiece. It wouldn’t take long for Brenden Marker would find the endzone on a 37-yard touchdown scamper. Frankenmuth would tack on another in the first on a Hunter Bernthal 12-yard run. As a result, it was Eagles, 20-6, after one.
Frankenmuth picked up right where they left off in the 2nd quarter. First, it would be a 35-yard touchdown run from Jonah Sholten. Hoard would go ahead and find the endzone himself on a 27-yard touchdown run. Griffin Barker would top off a 21-point quarter for the Eagles on a 27-yard run of his own. Frankenmuth would head into the locker room with all the momentum in this one, as it was 41-6 at the half in favor of the home team.
The 3rd quarter would slow the pace. Frankenmuth would have the lone score when Nicklaus Hoesman got into the act on a 8-yard touchdown run. It sat 48-6 in favor of the Eagles heading into the final 12 minutes.
Frankenmuth would tack on 3 points on the first play of the 4th on a 42-yard field goal from Will Soulliere, his fifth of the season. Everything was going the Eagles way as this one would put them up 51-6 early in the quarter. Birch Run would score the final points of the night on another Brown touchdown.
Frankenmuth would put together a nearly flawless performance on a 51-12 route of the visiting Panthers. The Eagles piled up 374 yards of total offense in this one. They would hold a Birch Run offense that was clicking on all cylinders to just 130 yards on the night. Barker would lead them on the night with 78 yards. Dalton DeBeau would lead the Eagles with 10 tackles on the night.
The Eagles will start off their season at 3-0 overall and 2-0 in TVC play. They will head to John Glenn next week to face a Bobcats team that is reeling a bit having lost their last two. They sit at 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the TVC. Birch Run will look pick themselves up after this one. The Panthers hold a now 2-1 overall record and 1-1 in TVC play. They will look to get their offense rolling again next week when they take on the Alma Panthers at home. The Panthers will be coming in with some momentum having grabbed their first win of the year Friday night against John Glenn. Alma stands now at 1-2 overall, and 1-1 in the TVC.
