Paola started the season Aug 31 at home against the St. James Academy Thunder. The Panthers lost 20-13 in a closely fought contest.

Paola made a few mistakes in the game that overall proved costly in the end. With two fumbles and a turnover on downs inches from the goal line late in the first half, Paola walks away with a loss in a game it could have won.

St. James recovered a fumble near the end of the game on Paola’s 27-yard line and would score the game-winning touchdown a few plays later.

The Panthers scored early on a 35-yard touchdown run in the first quarter by junior Mitch Sloan. Paola missed the extra point attempt making the game 6-0.

St. James answered with a touchdown run in the second quarter, but also failed to convert the extra point, tying the game 6-6.

Paola threatened late in the half but failed to score on fourth and goal from the one-yard line and went in to the half still tied.

With a little more than 30 seconds left in the third, junior Andrew Henn scored on a 9-yard run and with a made extra point by junior Lucas Wilson, Paola took the lead 13-6.

St. James answered, marching down the field to score on another touchdown run tying the game at 13 apiece.

Paola fumbled, with just more than four minutes to go, on their 27-yard line.

St. James then scored what turned out to be the game-winning 15-yard touchdown pass.