GRANT CITY, Mo. — Mound City needed just 12 seconds of game time to score Friday night, and the Panthers didn’t even take the opening kickoff.

Mound City is just that impressive right now.

Worth County quarterback Kyler Hiatt fumbled on the game’s opening play, and Mound City’s first play went 22 yards for a touchdown, sparking a 52-6 blowout win at Worth County High School. Worth County saw its 16-game winning streak come to almost an unbelievable end with the head coaches agreeing to stop the game at halftime.

Mound City lost twice to Worth County last year, including a semifinal defeat that sent Worth County onto the state championship game where the Tigers won their fifth state title.

“They’ve beat us in the semifinals the last two years — a heartbreaker last year. We wanted to come get one,” said Mound City senior Patrick Treece, who tallied three touchdown runs in the romp.

Worth County (4-1, 3-1 Highway 275) never had a chance.

Hiatt took the ball around right end from his 15 on the opening play, only to have the ball pop loose 4 yards down the field. After Mound City recovered, Panthers quarterback Miles Clifton lofted a fade pass to Cole Rosier down the right side, and the senior receiver tip-toed the back line for a touchdown.

A 2-point conversion pass from Clifton to Rosier gave Mound City an 8-0 lead

Hiatt tried to make up for the early lapse on the Tigers’ next play. The 6-foot-2 senior bowled over two Mound City defenders and outraced Dan Montgomery on a 65-yard touchdown run.

But the play was called back for an illegal formation, and Worth County went three and out. After a Tigers’ punt, Mound City needed just two plays to score again with Gage Rosier going 39 yards untouched on a counter play. Gage Rosier’s 2-point run made it 16-0, and the rout was on.

Mound City (5-0, 2-0) scored 32 points in the opening quarter, and the Panthers’ efficiency was incredible.

They had the ball for only 3 minutes, 17 seconds

They forced three turnovers, converting two into touchdowns

Three of their five drives started in Worth County territory. Another began at midfield.

“I can’t be disappointed in these guys,” said first-year Mound City coach Brian Messer. “They’re fun to watch, and they make a lot of plays.”

The only negative for Mound City came early in the second quarter.

Hiatt, who finished with 31 yards rushing on 19 attempts, threw a touchdown pass to Brian Hall to finish up a 5:50 drive. Hall caught the pass in the end zone from 17 yards out and appeared to bobble the ball as he was pushed towards the left sideline.

The officials ruled him inbounds, and Worth County crawled within 32-6 and ended Mound City’s three-game shutout streak.

Mound City’s final score came after Hiatt had a punt blocked with 3 minutes left in the first half. Hiatt scrambled for the ball and tried to pick it up and run. Instead, Mound City’s defense rolled over him and recovered the block at Worth County’s 4.

Hiatt sprained his left ankle on the play and left the game.

With his star player injured and down 46, Worth County coach Chuck Borey didn’t see any need to continue.

“Attitudes weren’t very good,” the veteran coach said. “Players’ attitudes and probably coaching staff’s attitudes, so I don’t think we would’ve got much out of playing a second half.

“We just have to regroup Sunday night and get ready for the next opponent.”

Assistant sports editor Ross Martin can be reached at rossmartin@npgco.com