Each time Sweet Home's Ralph Neasman holds a football, he cradles it gently.

"I hold onto the ball like it's a little baby," said Neasman, a junior running back for the

Panthers. "I'm not ever letting it go."

Neasman held on to his baby 30 times Friday night despite the rainy conditions in leading

Sweet Home to a 44-23 win over Iroquois. Neasman rushed for 187 yards and scored four

touchdowns in this key Class A battle for first place between teams that usually meet in the

playoffs, not the regular season.

Sweet Home's first ever visit to Iroquois' Latimer Field proved to be a winning one as the

defending state champions scored the game's final 15 points to hold onto a share of first

place in the division.

The Panthers (5-0, 4-0) are tied atop the standings with Williamsville South (5-0, 4-0),

which hosts Iroquois (4-1, 3-1) next Friday in another high-stakes divisional showdown. South

beat Starpoint, 28-0, Friday night.

"We did what we had to do and put 44 points up there on the board," Sweet Home coach John

Faller said. "I'm going to let the guys enjoy this [Friday night] and then it's back to work."

While Sweet Home quarterback Pat McMahon went 0 for 3 passing, he picked up yardage on

keepers, carrying six times for 60 yards. K.J. Zinermon also rushed for 69 yards on three

carries and scored one touchdown. Mikal Coleman had six carries for 26 yards and a TD.

Iroquois came out strong in the first quarter, taking a 3-0 lead on its opening drive, but

the Panthers answered the Chiefs quickly. Neasman returned the kickoff 27 yards and continued

to move the ball down field before a 47-yard touchdown run from Zinermon put the Panthers

ahead 7-3 with 1:31 left in the first quarter.

The Chiefs Jimmy Kloc drove up the middle to find the end zone with 6:63 left in the first

half giving Iroquois its final lead.

Neasman scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard run with 28 seconds left in the first half

to put the Panthers ahead for good.

The two teams have played each other six of the past seven postseasons with Sweet Home

winning four of those games, including last year's sectional final. The Panthers have beaten

the Chiefs in their last three meetings.

"Every five to six years we pick up a rivalry like this. The one with Iroquois has been a

good one," Faller said.

Iroquois quarterback/cornerback Calvin Sluberski had a huge game. The senior scored on a 35-

yard run and 70-yard TD catch in the third quarter and finished with 195 yards in total

offense. He also had an interception.