NORFOLK - It took Norfolk a while to take their first lead, but it was an incredibly opportune time.

A 7-yd touchdown pass from junior Cole Signor to senior Jaeden Thompson in overtime proved to be the difference as the Panthers held off rival Columbus 35-28 in the season opener on Friday.

The Discoverers looked poised to end their personal two-game losing streak to their Highway 81 rival, forcing two first-half interceptions and riding junior running back Michael Voichoskie to three rushing touchdowns over the first two quarters, taking a 21-14 lead into the half.

Norfolk struck first in the second half on when Drew Streich juked two Columbus defenders on a bubble screen, scampering 51 yards to the end zone and tying the game.

The Panthers drove deep into Discoverer territory in the fourth quarter, but a Voichoskie interception gave Columbus the ball back. The Discoverers rewarded their junior workhorse with a fourth rushing touchdown and a seven-point lead with 4:13 to go.

Norfolk punted away after a three-and-out and looked about to be at best pinned back in their own territory with one timeout needing a touchdown to tie. But Columbus elected to throw on third-and-five, and senior Will Wickham's throw was intercepted by Thompson, who then drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty, giving Norfolk the ball at the Discoverer 17.

Four plays later, junior Cohen Skiff's rushing touchdown that sent the game it into the extra session.

After Norfolk scored, Columbus was able to get to the five-yard line. But senior Cole Fundus knocked down Whickam's fourth-down heave into the end zone, preserving the win.

It's the Panthers' third straight win over their chief rival, and the fifth straight year they've opened their season with a win.

Columbus lost in the first week for just the second time in the last six years.

GAME SUMMARY

COLUMBUS (0-1) - 7 14  0  7  0 - 28

NORFOLK (1-0)    - 0 14  7  7  7 - 35

SCORING SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER

4:23 - Michael Voichoskie (COL) 1-yd TD run (XP good)

SECOND QUARTER

9:43 - Cole Signor (NOR) 35-yd TD pass to Drew Streich (XP good)

7:12 - M. Voichoskie (COL) 2-yd TD run (XP good)

2:09 - M. Voichoskie (COL) 4-yd TD run (XP good)

0:14 - C. Signor (NOR) 10-yd TD pass to Kaisen Jones (XP good)

THIRD QUARTER

7:14 - C. Signor (NOR) 51-yd TD pass to D. Streich (XP good)

FOURTH QUARTER

4:13 - M. Voichoskie (COL) 5-yd TD run (XP good)

1:04 - Cohen Skiff (NOR) 4-yd TD run (XP good)

OVERTIME

C. Signor (NOR) 7-yd TD pass to Jaeden Thompson (XP good)

STATS

NORFOLK

RUSHING

Jaeden Thompson: 8 carries, 27 yds

Cole Signor: 7 carries, 44 yds

Lane Mead: 2 carries, 8 yds

Cohen Skiff: 4 carries 15 yds, 1 TD

Cole Fundus: 1 carry, 9 yds

PASSING

Cole Signor: 18-for-33, 293 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT

RECEIVING

Gavin Jarecki: 3 rec, 28 yds

Drew Streich: 7 rec, 137 yds, 2 TD

Brayden Long: 2 rec, 36 yds

Tanner Wagner: 1 rec, 3 yds

Kaisen Jones: 3 rec, 38 yds, 1 TD

Jaiden Thompson: 2 rec, 10 yds, 1 TD

COLUMBUS

RUSHING

Michael Voichoskie: 33 carries, 123 yds, 4 TD

Omar Rozikov: 4 carries, 5 yds

Keagen Wemhoff: 6 carries, 25 yds

Laitenn Braithwait: 3 carries, 31 yds

Luke Messersmith: 2 carries, 9 yds

Carter Eisenmann: 1 carry, -4 yds

PASSING

Will Wickham: 16-of-29, 183 yds, 1 INT

RECEIVING

Omar Rozikov: 3 rec, 32 yds

Keagen Wemhoff: 1 rec, 11 yds

Abe Christensen: 1 rec, 13 yds

Conrad Renteria: 2 rec, 45 yds

Laitenn Braithwait: 1 rec, 4 yds

Tyler Zwingman: 4 rec, 40 yds

Carter Eisenmann: 1 rec, 8 yds

Michael Voichoskie: 1 rec, 6 yds

Connor Kallweit: 2 rec, 26 yds