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The Canton Warriors and North Penn-Mansfield Panthers delivered a Friday night thriller on September 13, but it was the Panthers who closed strong, pulling away late to secure a 24–14 victory.

North Penn-Mansfield wasted no time setting the tone. On the opening kickoff, Colton Pellett scooped up a tricky bounce, found daylight, and raced untouched into the end zone. With the extra point good, the Panthers jumped out to an early 7–0 lead. A first-quarter field goal extended the margin to 10–0.

Canton clawed back just before halftime. Driving deep inside the Panthers’ red zone, Bailey Gardner punched in a hard-fought touchdown run from inside the five. Alexis McRoberts added the extra point, cutting the deficit to 10–7 at the break.

During halftime, Canton honored new inductees into the Canton Sports Hall of Fame: Hal Jenkins, Stu Streeter, Glenn Kauffman, and Dave Cochran.

Momentum shifted in the third quarter. Gardner struck again, breaking loose for a 30-yard score to put the Warriors in front, 14–10. Canton looked poised to extend the lead when Ryder Route broke a long screen pass in the fourth quarter, but Pellett came up clutch for the Panthers, stripping the ball just before the goal line.

That defensive spark ignited the Panthers’ comeback. On a daring fourth-and-six, Bradley Brooks pitched to Luke Kreger, who outran defenders for a 74-yard touchdown. Brody Grinnel’s extra point reclaimed the lead, 17–14.

With just minutes remaining, Kreger iced the game with another score, this time barreling in on an outside pitch. The kick was good, sealing the 24–14 Panthers win.

The Panthers return home Friday to host the Athens Wildcats, while the Warriors will be on the road against Montgomery.