BEND — South Medford sputtered in the opening two quarters, but performed like a well-oiled machine in the second half against the Summit Storm in non-conference football Friday night.

The Panthers scored 26 unanswered points after intermission and pulled away for a 32-7 season-opening victory.

"Offensively, I knew we would struggle early-on," said South Medford coach Bill Singler, whose team trailed 7-6 at halftime. "We didn't have too many possessions in the first half. We regrouped at half and our kids came out and established themselves."

South drove deep into Summit territory twice early in the second half, but couldn't come up with any points until senior running back Donte Henry scored from 5 yards out with 2:20 left in the third quarter. E.J. Singler hauled in a two-point conversion pass from quarterback A.J. Palazzolo to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead.

Mitch Singler's spectacular 55-yard TD pass reception from Palazzolo was the first of three South touchdowns in the fourth period.

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"There was a defensive back right there," said Bill Singler about the touchdown pass to his sophomore son. "The ball was out there and Mitch made a nice catch."

The Panthers limited the Storm to just 34 yards rushing in the second half after giving up 103 before halftime.

"Our defense really stepped up and played a great game," said coach Singler. "Our offense is young. Until we find ourselves, our defense will have to carry us."

Sophomore Sam McLaughlin and senior Trevor Davenport gave the South defense a spark.

"(McLaughlin) came in and gave us aggressiveness at the linebacker position," said Bill Singler.

Davenport came up with two interceptions in the secondary.

Mike Nieto led the South ground game with 82 yards on 16 carries, while Patrick Thibeault had 69 yards on nine carries, including a 51-yard run that set up a second-half touchdown. E.J. Singler led the receiving corps with five catches for 67 yards.

South Medford 6 0 8 18 --32

Summit 7 0 0 0 --7

SM — E.J. Singler 15 pass from Weaver (kick failed)

S — Buckendorf run (Anzaldo kick)

SM — Henry 5 run (E.J. Singler pass from Palazzolo)

SM — M. Singler 55 pass from Palazzolo (kick failed)

SM — E.J. Singler 7 pass from Weaver (kick failed)

SM — Henry 6 run (kick failed)

• GRANTS PASS 49, THURSTON 7 — At Springfield, senior running back Craig Dolmage ran for three first-quarter touchdowns and finished with four TDs and a game-high 147 yards rushing.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Grants Pass quarterback Buddy Saxon hooked up with Spencer Fogelquist for a 64-yard pass play to the Colts' 1-yard line on the Cavemen's first play from scrimmage . But Fogelquist fumbled the ball into the end zone on the play and Thurston recovered for a touchback.

Grants Pass held Thurston on downs and took over at the Colts' 49 after a punt. On the first play, Dolmage ripped off a 39-yard run, then completed the two-play drive with a 10-yard TD with 9:21 left in the first quarter.

On the Cavemen's next possession, Grants Pass covered 36 yards on three plays for a TD on a Dolmage 24-yard run.

Dolmage completed the first quarter with a 14-yard TD run with 26 seconds left.

Saxon was perfect on five pass attempts for 150 yards.

Grants Pass totaled 485 yards in offense and limited Thurston to 159.

• ROSEBURG 41, SOUTH SALEM 16 — At Roseburg, Roseburg jumped to a 28-7 lead at the half and didn't look back in the season-opening win.

Indians quarterback Brad Lint completed 12 of 15 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, while Adam Brink led the rushing attack with 71 yards on 11 carries.

P.J. Sequeria led South Salem (1-1) with 111 yards on 27 carries.