Pender wins first game of year over Clarkson/Leigh

The Pender Football Team got their season started off on the right foot, winning 46-20 at Clarkson/Leigh Friday night.

The Pendragons led 8-6 at the end of one, and outscored the Patriots 24-6 in the second quarter to lead 32-12 at halftime.

Pender added 8 more points in the 3rd quarter, and led 40-12 at the end of three.

Clarkson/Leigh won the fourth quarter 8-6.

Brady Oliver was 10-21 passing for 195 yards with 5 touchdowns and an interception. Oliver added 119 yards rushing on 11 carries. Korbin Hardenbrook carried the rock 13 times for 115 yards with a touchdown.

Tyler Nelson made 5 receptions for 85 yards, and scored twice. Jared Tyrell had 2 receptions for 64 yards, and scored once.

Jesse Thompson made 8 tackles while Oliver and Thompson had 7 apiece.

The Pendragons had 461 yards of total offense, including 266 on the ground. The defense surrendered 312 yards, 205 coming on the ground.

This was a great performance from Pender. The Pendragons really showed how good of a team they are, and really took the fight to the Patriots.

Pender (1-0) hosts Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing (1-0) Friday night.

The Renegades won 76-8 at Niobrara/Verdigre this past Friday.

This is going to be a very difficult game for the Pendragons, but I feel this is an opportunity for Pender to spring a big upset and turn some heads around the state.

CWCE is a great power, and beating them would be a tremendous accomplishment for this Pendragon program.

Pender played an exceptional second quarter against the Patriots, but I think it's going to take a complete four quarter game from the Pendragons in order to knock off the Renegades.

The Pendragons are no doubt going to need to play their best game of the year and out of their minds to win this game, in my opinion.

Oliver has to go off for Pender again, and Hardenbrook needs to turn in another 100+ yard game on the ground.

Getting two players over 100 yards rushing and one of those players almost 200 yards passing is a winning recipe.

Oliver and Hardenbrook appear to be a great one two duo and punch for this team, and I fully expect them to have solid games against CWCE as well.

If there's a team that can keep these two in check though it is the Renegades. That's a task that's much easier discussed than done though so we'll see if Oliver and Hardenbrook can repeat last week's efforts.

The Pendragons have to watch out for Daniel Libolt and Carter Croxen.

The Renegades had a more balanced rushing attack Friday night, and ran for 329 yards against Niobrara/Verdigre.

I think Pender was more impressive than CWCE though, and can definitely win this game.

A win over the Renegades would be a big statement win for the Pendragons, and would no doubt give Pender a huge boost of confidence as if they don't need anymore already.

The Pendragons were mighty impressive in Week 1, and I think Pender has what it takes to turn in another good performance this coming Friday night.

Whether it yields another win or not is yet to be seen, but regardless of the outcome I look for the Pendragons to play hard and compete well.