Panthers stun # 3 ranked and rival Hartford

Coming into Friday nights game the Hartford Indians had not lost a regular season game since September 7th 2007, a span of over two years and 15 games. The homestanding Panthers put a stop to those streaks with a gritty 24-13 win over the #3 ranked Indians, outgaining them 420-299 in the process.

Things started out right as the new and improved Panther defense held Hartford to a 3 and out on their first series. The offense took little time in taking advantage as they pounded the ball down the field with a series of run plays. The drive culminated with Super Sophomore Brett Thumm punching it in from 7 yards out. The extra point was no good, but the Panthers held an early 6-0 lead.

Hartford, showing why they were ranked so highly, answered right back with a TD of their own. Speedy halfback Mike Poczik zipped 45 yards for an Indian score. The PAT was good and Hartford took over the lead at 7-6.

The Panthers mounted a good drive, but stalled inside the 20. A field goal attempt was no good and Hartford retained the lead. The Watervliet defense kept it tight however, slowing down the vaunted Indian rushing attack and giving the Panther offense two more good opportunities. They would not dissapoint. Senior QB Kevin Eastman calmly led the troops down the field with a mix of runs and passes that ended with a two yard TD leap from Senior RB Collin Buck. The 2 pt. play was no good, but the home team had retaken the lead, a lead they would not relinquish. On their last possession of the first half the Panther run game had it going again as they pounded their way down to the Indian 1 yard line. Unfortunately a high snap moved the Panthers back to the 15 yard line. Unable to pick up any yards from there the field goal unit was sent back out on to the field. This time Senior kicker Marco Montejano’s 32 yard kick was pure and the Panthers extended their lead to 15-7 as halftime commenced.

Watervliet took the opening kickoff of the second half and it was more of the same. The offensive line continued to control things up front as the Panthers pushed their way down the field with a series of punishing runs mixed in with a few timely passes. A 20 yard Brett Thumm TD scamper was called back on a late holding call and the Panther offense was unable to repeat the feat. However, the drive was not for naught as Montejano again split the uprights, this time from 29 yards out and the Panthers inched ahead at 18-7.

The Indians showed some grit as they answered right back. Mike Poczik hit the jets once again, this time from 30 yards out to trim the lead to 18-13. The attempt at a fake PAT was no good. For much of the next quarter both defenses played very well. The Panthers were able to cause and recover two fumbles, while the Indians slowed the Panther run game. Midway through the 4th quarter Hartford mounted an impressive drive, converting twice on 4th down, reaching the Panther 9 yard line. However, the Panther defense stiffened up and kept their rivals out of the end zone in what proved to be a huge stop. The offense picked up a single first down on their next drive, but were unable to sustain a drive. Once again the defense rose to the challenge, stuffing a Hartford drive that had reached Panther territory. With 4 minutes and change remaining the offensive line took over the game. Mixing a variety of runs and a tough catch and run from Senior WR Cory Quinn the Panthers moved the ball down to the Hartford 10 yard line. A delay of game penalty moved them back to the 15 yard line where they found themselves in a 4th down situation. From here the Panthers rolled the dice and went for the knockout. The punch was perfect as Eastman hit Quinn in the seam for a pretty 15 yard TD pass to seal the deal. As the clockticked down the Panthers celebrated a huge 24-13 victory.

The Panthers defense made Hartford earn every yard all night long. Junior Safety Aaron Dabicci led the team with 12 tackles coming down hard from his free safety spot. Linebackers Joe Isbrecht and Michael Johnson had 10 and 8 tackles respectively. Senior LB Collin Buck added 8 tackles playing a hybrid of nose tackle and his regular insider linebacker spot. His play on defense was pivotal in the win. Senior DE Max Goodrich played fantastic as well, chasing down several outside sweeps on his way to 5 tackles. Big DT’s DJ Howley and Jake Elliot did their job stuffing up the middle and DE Angel Vasquez and OLB Kevin Dembinski also played tough in the box. Junior CB John McCarthy played a solid game as well knocking away 3 Hartford pass attempts. It was an impressive night for the defense who held the Indians, who had been averaging over 40 points/game, to just 13 points.

Offensively the Panthers moved the ball very well most of the night. The offensive line of Max Goodrich, Cody Sposato, Vic Fellner, Chris Saurbier, and Jaxon Dehaven helped power the Panther rushing attack to 280 yards. Thumm led the way once again with 30 carries for 138 yards and a TD. It’s the fourth straight game Thumm has eclipsed the century mark on the ground. Collin Buck had six extremely tough carries for 43 yards and a TD, while Eastman hammered out 82 yards on 13 carries for the best rushing game of his career. WR’s Dabicci and Quinn combined for 29 yards on three additional carries. Eastman was very efficient through the air going 11/18 for 140 yards 1 TD and took care of the ball throwing no interceptions. Dabicci, Quinn, and Senior WR Tim Flagel each hauled in three passes for 49, 37, and 35 yards. Senior WR Marco Montejano also snagged two passes for 19 yards.

The Panthers (4-1, 1-0) try to extend their four game win streak as they travel to Marcellus next Friday. The Wildcats (2-3, 0-1) dropped their conference opener to Lawrence this past Friday. Game time is set for 7:00.