Photo by Nick Henthorn Bellaire’s Quentin Scott (15) celebrates a touchdown reception on Thursday against Buckeye Local in World War II Memorial Stadium.

YORKVILLE — World War II Memorial Stadium was packed on Thursday for the season kickoff game between the home-team Buckeye Local Panthers and the visiting Bellaire Big Reds, with the Big Reds sending the Panthers packing in a 31-6 week one victory.

Bellaire made plays by ground and by air in the battle on Ron Pobolish Field, as junior quarterback Michael Dippel tossed two touchdowns, and Rylin McMahon scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Dippel’s first score came on Bellaire’s first drive, as he laced a ball out wide to Raekwon Pettigrew, who juked and faked his way up the sideline for a 25-yard score with 10:00 on the clock in the first quarter.

Pettigrew made his fair share of highlights on Thursday, including his touchdown grab, another catch-and-run which included a clean hurdle, and a big punt return in the second quarter.

Bellaire scored again before the first quarter was over, McMahon taking a sweep wide outside and to the house for a 21-yard score. Bellaire led 13-0 going into the second quarter.

McMahon finished with 53 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both team-highs.

Buckeye Local mounted a long drive midway through the second quarter, but coughed up the ball inside Bellaire’s 10. Bellaire mounted a long drive of their own, ending with Dippel throwing a 13-yard touchdown strike on a post route from Quentin Scott.

Dippel connected with seven different receivers on his way to finishing with 131 passing yards and a pair of scores.

Buckeye Local hucked up a pass from Bellaire territory to end the half, and Izaiah Hundley lept up and grabbed it– but a yard shy of the end zone. Bellaire led 19-0 at halftime.

Jayden Martin ran in a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter to extend the Big Reds’ lead to 25-0, but Buckeye Local got on the board their next drive, punctuated by a Grant Dombroski touchdown sneak.

Dombroski finished with 98 passing yards and 39 rushing yards.

Buckeye Local’s Daniel Divjak hauled in an interception inside the Panther’s end zone to keep Bellaire off the scoreboard for awhile, but McMahon capped off the scoring with 10 minutes to play in the game with a four-yard touchdown run.

Both teams wrestled with penalties Thursday. Buckeye Local had five flags amounting to 30 penalty yards, Bellaire had six for 33 yards.

The Big Reds remain on the road next week, traveling to Monroe Central. The Panthers will hit the road to face River.