Panthers Dominate 2nd Half to Notch First Win of Season

The Panthers controlled both sides of the ball most of the night on their way to a 40-13 victory over the Gobles Tigers Friday night.

It took a little while for the Panther offense to get on the field Friday night, but once they did things started rolling. After the defense got back to back stops to open the game (Watervliet fumbled the punt return after Gobles first possession) they began what would be a dominating night on the ground with a 25 yard reverse to Junior WR Aaron Dabicci. Four plays later Senior QB Kevin Eastman hit Senior WR Cory Quinn for for a 20 yard TD strike. Junior Marco Montejano added the extra point and the Panthers took an early 7-0 lead.

The defense stuffed the Tigers running game time after time in the first half forcing the Tigers to go to the air, where they had some success. However Senior cornerback Timmy Flagel stopped Gobles best drive of the half with his second INT of the season. The offense moved the ball well most of the first half, but much like last week stalled in the red zone, including a missed field goal. With the score still 7-0 the Eastman dropped back for a screen and was hit as he threw. The ball was picked off and returned for a 19 yard TD. The extra point was no good and the Panthers held a slim 7-6 lead. The offense took little time getting back in the action as Eastman moved the troops down the field in a hurry and hit Quinn again, this time from 9 yards out to push the lead to 13-6 as the half came to a close.

The Panther offense had the first crack of the second half and did not waste it. Once again marching the ball quickly down the field. This time Sophomore RB Brett Thumm punched it in from three yards out for his first TD of the season. The extra point was good and Watervliet took a 20-6 lead.

As the defense continued to be extremely stingy against the Tiger run game, Gobles again decided to air it out. This time the Panther defense was caught off guard as Gobles QB Keith Kellerman threw across his body to Ian Weston for a 73 yard catch and run TD. With the extra point the lead was trimmed to 20-13.

From this point on it was all Panthers. After a nice kick return by Senior Collin Buck, Thumm went back to work, this time hitting paydirt from 24 yards out. The Panthers then kept a steady diet of Thumm with Senior running backs Buck and Michael Johnson. The offensive line punished the Gobles defense on play after play as the home team continually ripped off big gains on the ground. Thumm crossed the goal line two more times in the second half, giving him four TD’s in the second half. Gobles never came close to scoring again and as the clock hit all zeroes the Panthers had notched an impressive 40-13 win.

The Panthers dominated in total yardage gaining 504 total yards to Gobles 212 (73 of which was picked up on one play). Most of that yardage was picked up on the ground where the Panthers gained 366 yards on the night. Sophomore Brett Thumm had a monster game carrying the ball 33 times for 261 yards and 4 TD’s in what was one of the finest nights a Panther ball carrier has ever had. Thumm also hauled in two passes for another 40 yards giving him 301 total yards on the night. Collin Buck added 5 carries for 41 yards, Kevin Eastman ran six times for 28 yards from his QB spot and, Michael Johnson chipped in two carries for 11 yards. Eastman, who was nursing a bruised hand that caused him to leave the Coloma game early last week, went 8-20 for 138 yards, two TD’s, and two INT’s. In addition to Thumm’s catches, Quinn snagged 3 balls for 51 yards and two TD’s, Dabicci had two for 29, and Senior WR Marco Montejano had 1 catch for 18 yards.

Defensively the Panthers were close to dominant much of the night holding the Tiger running game to less than three yards per carry (the second straight game they have accomplished this). Leading the way was Senior Linebacker Joe Isbrecht with 14 tackles, including a couple bone rattling hits. Senior Linebackers Michael Johnson and Collin Buck also had fine games, while Sophomore LB Kevin Dembinski is starting to make his presence known as well. The defensive line was very tough as the big Senior tackles DJ Howley and Jake Elliot plugged up the middle while Defensive Ends Max Goodrich and Chris Saurbier shut down the off tackle plays.

The Panthers (1-1, 0-0) take their show on the road for this first time this season as they head to Bloomingdale next Friday night. The Cardinals (0-2, 0-0) lost to Lawton this Thursday night. Game time is set for 7:00 as the Panthers shoot for two in a row.