MORROW — The Panthers made a statement in their season opener Friday night, using a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defensive effort to cruise past South Dearborn, 28-0. The Panthers scored in each of the first three quarters and never allowed South Dearborn to find its footing offensively. Little Miami finished with 299 total yards, including 153 on the ground and 146 through the air, while forcing two turnovers in the shutout.

Quarterback Brayden Brown led the way through the air, completing 7-of-9 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed 42 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries as Little Miami repeatedly found ways to move the football. Brown put the Panthers on the board in the opening quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving Little Miami a 7-0 advantage after Cade Wojnicz's extra point.

Little Miami added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take control. Brown connected with Carter Stewart on a 19-yard touchdown pass before hitting Walker Brewsaugh for a 45-yard score. Wojnicz converted both extra points, sending the Panthers into halftime with a 21-0 lead.

The big plays continued after halftime. Brown found Gage Vultaggio for a 42-yard touchdown in the third quarter, stretching the advantage to 28-0. Wojnicz's fourth extra point of the night completed the scoring.

Little Miami's ground game complemented Brown's efficient passing performance. Owen Menad led the Panthers with 64 rushing yards on six carries, averaging 10.7 yards per attempt, while Brown averaged 8.4 yards on his five carries. As a team, Little Miami averaged 6.4 yards per rushing attempt.

The Panthers also spread the ball around in the passing game. Stewart caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, Vultaggio added two catches for 43 yards and a score, and Brewsaugh turned his lone reception into a 45-yard touchdown.

Defensively, Little Miami kept South Dearborn off the scoreboard throughout the night. Carter Hainey paced the Panthers with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, while Colton Reynolds added seven tackles. Little Miami recorded three tackles for loss as a team and came away with two South Dearborn turnovers.

The Panthers also converted six of seven third-down opportunities, helping them sustain drives and keep South Dearborn's offense off the field. After a dominant opening night on both sides of the ball, Little Miami leaves its season opener with a 28-0 victory and plenty of momentum as LMHS hits the road in Week 2 as they travel to Newtown to face Turpin in the first ECC matchup of the season. Check out photos from all the Week 1 FNL action below.