MAPLETON- Panthers running back Geoff Ramaker rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns as the No. 5 seeded New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers eliminated the No. 4 seeded Maple River Eagles with a 14-8 win on Tuesday in Mapleton.

“We took advantage of some good field position last night to get both touchdowns last night,” NRHEG coach Dan Stork said. “Our first score came after a short MR punt. On the ensuing kickoff, our kicker didn’t hit the ball square and with some help from the wind we ended recovering an on-side kick.”

The Panthers scored all of their points in the second quarter.

Ramaker had two touchdowns from a yard out to give NRHEG a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Maple River got on the board in the third quarter when running back Scott Schoneck scored from nine yards out to pull the Eagles within 14-6.

In the fourth quarter, Maple River recorded a safety but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers earned the win 14-8.

Geoff Ramaker led the Panther defense with nine tackles, while Sam Lundberg recorded an interception and Tyler Crabtree recovered two fumbles.

NRHEG will travel to Waterville on Saturday to take on the No. 1 seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers at 7 p.m.

“We are really looking forward to Saturday’s game in Waterville,” Stork said. “They are our biggest rival and the number 1 ranked defending state champs so obviously we are the underdog. No pressure on us. We can just play hard and have fun and let the cards fall where they will.”

Panthers-Maple Rivers Stats

NRHEG 0 14 0 0_14

Maple River 0 0 6 2_8

First Quarter

No Scoring

Second Quarter

NRHEG- Ramaker 1 yard run (Ramaker Kick)

NRHEG- Ramaker 1 yard run (Ramaker Kick)

Third Quarter

MR- Schoneck 9 yard run (PAT no good)

Fourth Quarter

MR- Safety

NRHEG Maple River

First Downs 9 10

Rushing Yards 150 66

Pass Comp-Att 3-8 10-20

Passing Yards 40 70

Total Plays 68 46

Total Offense 190 136

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 4-4

Penalties-Yards 4-25 5-55

Third down Efficiency 6 for 18 3 for 10

Punts-Average 7-20.3 6-23.0