By John Hillman

Special to the Tribune-Herald

John Hubert made up for lost time.  After missing Midway’s season opener, a 17-7 loss to Alvarado, the senior tailback rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Panthers to a 38-0 rout of Cedar Park Vista Ridge.

“I had a lot of making up to do,” said Hubert following his one-game disciplinary suspension.  “I worked hard, did good in practice, and came out with a good victory.”

Hubert wasted no time putting the Panthers on the scoreboard.  Following a 14-yard Vista Ridge punt, Midway started its first offensive series on its own 47.

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The tailback took the handoff on the sprint draw, broke through the middle of the Ranger defense, and rambled down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown.  Scott Newbury tacked on the extra point, and the Panthers led 7-0 at the first quarter’s 8:44 mark.

“I told my coach to run that play first because I knew it would be open,” Hubert said.  “I followed big Ty Horn and hit the sideline for a touchdown.”

Midway’s defense held Vista Ridge three-and-out on the next series, and the Panthers went on the offensive at their own 36.  Paced by Hubert’s running, Midway marched down to the Ranger 37 in five plays.

On third-and-six, Corey Holmes connected with Trey Graham in the right flat, and the tight end sprinted to the end zone.  The PAT put the Panthers up 14-0 with 5:51 remaining in the first period.

“I was open, and the quarterback found me,” Graham said.  “I turned around, and there was open space in front of me.  I just took it to the end zone.”

Vista Ridge’s defense stiffened, squelching two Midway drives into Ranger territory.  Facing fourth-and-one at the Vista Ridge 31, Holmes mishandled the snap, and the Rangers recovered at the 35.

Late in the second quarter, Midway faced fourth-and-two at the Vista Ridge 46.  The Panthers set up in punt formation but snapped the ball to upback Marc Martinez.  Martinez stretched his full length but came up six inches short, turning the ball to the Rangers.

Midway took the second-half opening kickoff and moved to the Vista Ridge 5 in four plays.  But on first-and-goal, Hubert coughed up the ball, and John Loredo recovered for the Rangers.

Vista Ridge returned the favor immediately as Calvin Thompson fumbled, and Vyonte Guess corralled the lose football for Midway.  Three plays later, Hubert knifed into the end zone, and Midway extended its margin to 21-0 with 8:29 left to play in the third quarter.

The Panthers iced the contest with 17 quick points in the fourth.  Hubert capped a 75-yard, 11-play drive with a one-yard plunge, his third touchdown of the evening.

“Hubert had two or three of the most unbelievable runs I’ve ever seen,” Midway head coach Kent Bachtel said.  “Three or four guys had him wrapped up, and he ran over this one and runs over that one.  He’s one phenomenal running back.”

Vista Ridge fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Midway went back on offense at the Ranger 29.  On first-and-10, Anthony Betters stretched full-length to snare Holmes’ pass in the end zone and gave the Panthers a comfortable 35-0 lead. 

Newbury finished off Midway’s scoring with a 25-yard field goal.

“After last week, everybody had a fire burning to get a big win,” Graham said.  “We pulled it off.”