SOUTH DAYTON - Josh Kilburn made sure his Senior Night would be one to remember as he led the Pine Valley Panthers (2-4) to a thrilling 34-21 victory over Panama (2-4) on Friday in Class DD football.
Kilburn rushed for 301 yards on 25 carries and found the end zone four times.
"The kid is all heart and he brought it," Pine Valley coach Chris Buczek said of his senior tailback. "It was Senior Night and homecoming. He has been bringing it and it seemed extra special for him."
The visitors got on the board first as Rob Benson found the end zone from 55 yards out and Kelvin Eddy kicked the first of his three extra points on the night.
However, Pine Valley responded as Dan Weaver scored on a 1-yard plunge and Kilburn scored on a 57-yard scamper to take a 12-6 halftime advantage.
Kilburn opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 39-yard run and then ran in the two-point conversion to give the home team a 20-7 lead.
Panama responded with 14 straight points as quarterback Sawyer Eggleston scored twice - both on 1-yard dives - to give the visitors a 21-20 lead with 6:30 to play in the final frame.
On the ensuing drive, Kilburn put his team on his back and recaptured the lead with a 46-yard run on 4th-and-2.
"They had the box stacked," Buczek said of the play. "Their defense was thinking dive and we ran to the edge of the defense."
Nick Sandy converted on the two-point conversion from 7 yards out after a false start penalty backed up the home team.
Shortly after, Kilburn capped off the scoring with a 32-yard run to seal the victory.
Kilburn also contributed defensively with 11 tackles while Dan Weaver had 12 and Talon Snyder had an interception with his four tackles.
Stephen Enlow led Panama's offense with 106 yards on 19 carries while Eggleston was 9 for 10 with 102 yards passing.
Panama 7 0 7 7 - 21
Pine Valley 6 6 8 14 - 34
Pan - Benson 55 run (Eddy kick)
PV - Weaver 1 run (kick fail)
PV - Kilburn 57 run (pass failed)
PV - Kilburn 39 run (Kilburn run)
Pan - Eggleston 1 run (Eddy kick)
Pan - Eggleston 1 run (Eddy kick)
PV - Kilburn 46 run (Sandy run)
PV - Kilburn 32 run (kick failed)
ELLICOTTVILLE ROLLS
ELLICOTTVILLE - Ellicottville's Phalla Musall had a big night as the Eagles (4-1, 5-2) posted a 22-0 shutout over Franklinville (3-4).
Musall scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter and added a 45-yard scamper for a touchdown in the third quarter, racking up 238 yards on 26 carries and also shined on defense with two interceptions.
Cam Wilson also scored on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter while Creg Knier led the defense with 13 tackles and Jesse Pollock had 10 tackles.
Ellicottville 8 0 8 6 - 22
Franklinville 0 0 0 0 - 0
Ell - Musall 3 run (Musell run)
Ell - Musell 45 run (Wilson run)
Ell - Wilson 6 run (run failed)