Week 3: Le-Win vs Galena

There were a lot of questions entering the week three matchup between the Galena Pirates and Lena-Winslow Panthers at Coach Korte Field on Friday, Sept. 10. The Pirates trying to find a statement win, while the Panthers wanting to continue their dominance of the conference.

The first quarter ended scoreless. The Panthers were unable to capitalize on two previous long drives while the Pirates tried to find their own path to the end zone.

In the second quarter, Ethan Fye would score from six yards out with 8:10 left in the half to give the Panthers the 8-0 lead. The Pirates were unable to respond as the Panthers would have another chance to score before halftime.

Fye once again answered the call for the Panthers as another run, this time from three yards out, would give the Panthers the comfortable 14-0 lead entering the halftime break.

Some in the newly dedicated bleachers at Coach Korte Field were fearful that the Panthers were going to unleash a torrent on the home team, however the Pirates defense held tough, even as a number of starters would go out with injuries, only allowing one touchdown in the second half.

Fye’s three-touchdown game saw his last score take place at the 6:53 mark in the third quarter. The Pirates offense finally awakened and nearly saw a score, but the Panthers held strong and kept the Pirates out of the end zone for the 20-0 shutout.

BY THE NUMBERS The Le-Win Panthers won their series record 7th consecutive game against Galena; Galena’s last win was in the IHSA Class 1A quarterfinals in 2014 with a 25-22 win. Galena holds the all-time series lead 36-22. The Panthers are 13-4 in the last 17 matchups dating back to 2001.

The seven consecutive wins is the 3rd longest win streak in the series, with the Pirates winning the first ten games from 1959-1969 and winning 11 straight from 1976-1986.

Ric Arand has passed Chuck Korte for most wins in the series. Arand is now 13-8 all-time against the Pirates. Korte held an 11-5 record against the Panthers.

This was the first shutout in the series since 2011 when the Panthers won 50-0.