Photo by Kim Nelson: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton running back David Schuh runs through a group of tacklers during a prep football game against Sleepy Eye in Tracy on Friday night.

TRACY — The Panthers ripped up the field Friday, courtesy of quarterback Trevor Smith and tight end Taylor Swenhaugen. Swenhaugen finished the game with 90 rushing yards and three touchdowns on five carries, as well as 42 receiving yards and another touchdown on four catches. Smith threw for 302 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception on 27 attempts. A pass-heavy offense overwhelmed Sleepy Eye, winning 38-14. 

“Taylor was great,” said head coach Jason Kainz. “He got banged up earlier this year, and we’re glad to have him back. Play after play, he was on top of his game.”  

Swenhaugen also had multiple third-down stops on defense. He led the team with seven solo tackles, two of which were for a loss, while David Schuh, Smith and Griffin Zick each added another five. 

“He’s an all-around player, and does his best to make big-time plays, and clearly, he did tonight.” 

Zick was also a major player in the Panthers’ aerial attack, leading the team with six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Emery Xiong also had four catches for 68 yards.  

TMB got straight to action, forcing fumbles on back-to-back plays in the first drive, both recovered by Sleepy Eye. Sleepy Eye is met with a fourth-down situation, and TMB pounces on it. Straight out of the gate, big plays made a big drive, putting TMB up early, 6-0.  

Swenhaugen worked magic on defense also, tackling for loss on a Sleepy Eye third down. But he wasn’t finished. He charges and trucks his way in for his first touchdown, putting the Panthers up 12-0 to finish the quarter. 

The second quarter begins and Swenhaugen hasn’t had enough; going untouched to find the endzone. Yet again, the Panthers showed heavy pass offense, going up 18-0 Sleepy Eye eventually finds traction with a touchdown of their own. But Swenhaugen wasn’t having any of it, stopping them on another third down; which would set up a Noah Knakmuhs touchdown, making it a 24-6 ballgame. 

At the beginning of the third quarter who else but Swenhaugen came up with his third touchdown. But a sudden shock went through the crowd as they saw him get hurt on the next drive.  

“We saw him go down and we were all nervous,” said Kainz. “We didn’t have him last week because of tendonitis in his foot. I went over to talk to him, and he said it was just a cramp, which was better to hear. He was a key player in our success tonight, and I didn’t want him gone.” 

Swenhaugen skipped the next drive to ease up the cramp, but he kept fighting, posting his fourth touchdown of the night.  

“One thing you have to credit is your quarterback. He found Taylor when he was open, which caused us to score a bunch,” said Kainz. “Trevor has been phenomenal for us. He’s quick and he has a good eye. When he’s focused, he can make big plays, which resulted in a lot of the drives we had tonight.”  

“But another thing that helps a quarterback is his lineman. They worked hard blocking and protecting our most valuable asset. They don’t get enough credit off the field, but they put in a lot of the hard work. They showed up and did their jobs well tonight.” said Kainz. 

In addition to Swenhaugen’s 90 rush yards, David Schuh and Smith added 35 yards on eight carries and 43 yards on seven carries respectively. 

There is a lot in store for TMB. A young team can help them through the season.  

“We’ve got a very young core. A lot of young guys, and it’s good having juniors and seniors with experience be role models and leaders to help with the younger kids,” said Kainz. 

“Defensively they were bigger, but that didn’t stop us. We used our passing game to show up and shut out. They executed that perfectly, even if they had other players towering over them. That is what helped bring us the win tonight,” said Kainz, complimenting Smith and the offense. 

Improving to 1-1 on the season after dropping 48-14 against Dawson-Boyd in week 1, TMB will travel to Martin County West on Friday at 7 p.m.