NAPPANEE – The NorthWood football team wasted no time applying the knockout punch Friday night.

The Panthers used a big start to flatten Fairfield 42-0 in non-conference action at Andrews Field.

The Class 4-A No. 1 ranked Panthers put up 20 points in the opening quarter en route to its second straight dominating win of the young season.

Fairfield, which opened its season by shocking Goshen, drops to 1-1.

NorthWood quarterback Landen Gessinger had a superb night for the hosts. The senior fired a pair of 40-yard touchdown tossed to DeAndre Smart in the first stanza. He also ran for a 15-yard score as the Panthers rolled to a 20-0 lead.

The Panthers got two more big plays in the second period. Brayton Yoder broke off a 70-yard touchdown run. Not to be outdone, the NorthWood defense scored for the second straight week as Will Ingle scooped up a Falcon fumble and went 77 yards for a touchdown.

Gessinger wrapped up the scoring in the final period with a two-yard touchdown run.

The Panther defense notched its second straight shutout to open the season. The defense forced four turnovers, getting fumble recoveries from Ingle, Zach Miller and Jarrett Spahr in the rout.

The back-to-back shutouts for NorthWood are its first two in a row since the 2002 season. The Panthers have outscored Fairfield 197-13 in their last four meetings.

NorthWood outgained the Falcons 472-226 in total yards. The hosts rushed for 295 yards with Gessinger leading the way with 19 carries for 183 yards. Yoder had 12 runs for 98 yards.

Gessinger was strong through the air as well going 10-17 passing for another 177 yards.

Payton Bear and Smart led the team in tackles.

NorthWood opens Northern Lakes Conference play at Concord (2-0) next Friday night. Fairfield hosts Central Noble on Friday evening.