INDIAN RIVER – It was a clash of the titans – in the first round.

Facing off in the postseason for a third consecutive year, the No. 1-ranked Inland Lakes Bulldogs and No. 6 Pickford Panthers delivered an MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 football classic.

In a back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouses , the Panthers stepped up late in the fourth quarter and stunned the Bulldogs 30-26 at Shanley Field on Friday, Oct. 31.

Panthers resilient in fourth, get critical late stop

All night, the Panthers (8-1) refused to go away against the Bulldogs (9-1), who held a 26-18 lead following a short touchdown run from junior Landon Fenstermaker with one minute left in the third quarter.

But right when the Bulldogs looked poised to take control, Pickford senior quarterback Gunner Bennin broke

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