BY MICHAEL DAVID

The Carey Panthers, the defending state champions, entered their Friday night matchup with Hagerman yet to be tested, having defeated their first four opponents by a cumulative score of 202-20.

Those questioning if the big, physical Pirates would provide that test got their answer early in the game as the Panthers jumped out to a huge lead in the first quarter and never looked back, cruising to a 74-22 victory in front of a raucous homecoming crowd in Carey.

After the Panther defense forced Hagerman into a three-and-out on their first possession, Carson Simpson sprinted left for a 30-yard touchdown scamper on the very first offensive play of the game for the home team. A Porter Mecham 2-point conversion gave Carey an 8-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

Senior running back Mecham kept the momentum going with a 67-yard run on the Panther’s next possession to make the score 16-0. Junior Porter Larna recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and Senior Bryan Vargas capitalized, pounding it in from the two yard line moments later to stake a 24-0 lead with 7:05 still remaining in the first quarter.

Max Dilworth’s 8-yard touchdown reception from Hunter Smith made the score 32-0, and Larna capped off the first quarter scoring on a 45-yard run to make it 40-0.

Hagerman got on the scoreboard midway through the second period on a 65-yard touchdown pass, but Mecham answered right back, rumbling 53 yards for his second touchdown of the game to stretch the lead back to 48-8.

The determined Pirates drove the ball all the way to the Carey five-yard line only to be turned away as the Panthers defense stiffened and stopped Hagerman on fourth and goal. Simpson struck immediately with an 86-yard touchdown run to make the score 54-8. After a Hagerman touchdown with 3:20 remaining in the first half, Larna once again found the end zone after a 46-yard rush to give Carey a 62-14 lead at the intermission.

The 2018 Homecoming Royalty was presented at halftime as Freshman Princess Kourtney Patterson, Sophomore Princess Madison Kirkland, Junior Princess Felicity Black and 2018 Homecoming Queen Shantell Chavez were transported to midfield in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage.

Brigham Parke and Wyatt Mecham then returned to the field to provide the scoring in the second half on 25-yard and 35-yard touchdown runs, making the final score 74-22 and sending the loyal Carey fans home happy.

Carey moved to 5-0 on the season and will face Garden Valley next Friday on the road. The Panthers will be back in action at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, against Murtaugh.