A series that had been close over the years turned out to be no contest for New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Friday night against Minnesota Valley Lutheran in New Richland.

The series was tied at two games a piece for each team over the last four years prior to Friday’s game and both teams had 4-1 records on the season.

The Panthers returned to form against the Chargers with running back Greg Ramaker shouldering much of the load offensively. Ramaker had four touchdowns in a 36-0 win, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jon Kormann in the second quarter with 57 seconds remaining. Ramaker also sprinkled in three rushing touchdowns and 170 yards on the ground.

It was the second win in a row for NRHEG after suffering its first loss of the season to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.

The Panthers scored twice in the second and third quarters and marched to a shutout on defense. NRHEG limited Minnesota Valley Lutheran to 106 yards of total offense and just 67 on the ground.

“Jared Anderson, Tim Bartness and Aaron Haggerty really owned the line of scrimmage defensively,” Panthers head coach Dan Stork said.

Quarterback Payden Peterson was just 2-of-5 passing, but it didn’t matter much as the offense rolled up 215 total yards rushing and controlled the line of scrimmage.

NRHEG 36, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 0

MVL – 0 0 0 0 – 0

NRHEG – 6 16 14 0 – 36

First Quarter

NRHEG – Greg Ramaker 5 run (kick failed)

Second Quarter

NRHEG – Ramaker 2 run (Ramaker run)

NRHEG – Kormann 9 pass from Ramaker (Danny Wagner run)

Third Quarter

NRHEG – Ramaker 5 run (Colton Schlaak kick)

NRHEG – Lindell 4 run (Schlaak kick)

Total offense

MVL – 106

NRHEG – 244

Total rushing

MVL – 67

NRHEG – 215

Total passing

MVL – 39

NRHEG – 29