After winning its first game Tuesday night, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team had an opportunity to win two games in one week.

The Panthers did just that when they beat Medford Friday night 20-14.

NRHEG racked up big passing numbers in its first win, but pounded the ball on the ground against Medford, rushing 42 times for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

&8220;Their defense was very aggressive up front tonight,&8221; said Panther head coach Dan Stork. &8220;They took away the pass early so we ran the ball and took what they gave us.&8221;

NRHEG got on the board early in the first quarter but led only 6-0 after a failed extra point.

The Panthers added two more scores in the second quarter and held a 20-6 halftime advantage.

With Blake Kerkhoff pounding the ball on the ground quarterback Dakota Tracy was able to throw for 194 yards through the air in the game and had one touchdown.

Justin Stieglbauer had just one catch on the night but he made it count hauling it in for a 65-yard scoring strike.

Both teams struggled on offense in the third quarter as neither could find the end zone. The Panthers were hampered all night by costly penalties that totaled 140 yards. They were flagged 14 times and it kept them from keeping any drives going early in the second half.

Medford into the end zone one last time in the fourth to make the final score 20-14.

&8220;We will have our hands full next week against Waterville,&8221; Stork said. &8220;They are really big up front and they like to pound on you, so we&8217;ve got our work cut out for us this next week.&8221;

With two wins for the week, the Panthers improve to 2-0 on the season and look to stay undefeated when they host Waterville-Elysian-Morristown next Friday night.