Klein Oak Panthers vs Klein Forest Eagles
September 24, 2009

Panthers fight like Warriors to the bitter end.

The TEAM scraped, scrambled and scrapped for 48 minutes.  Midway through the 4th quarter Klein Forest new they were in for a real dog fight.  With the score 33 – 14 heading into the 4th Oak came roaring back like a unified pack of wild mountain cats.  In the end a couple big plays made the difference and KF managed to sneak by the hungry Panthers 39 - 34.

Panthers start the first possession on their own 32 yard line.  Quarterback Andy Wilson takes the snap from center Justin Moreno then steps right, fakes a handoff to Demetrich Gilliam and spins back to the left.  Following up front blocking by guard Arthur Fatu and tackle Skyler Denny and down field blocking by wideout Michael Starr and wideout Tory Waites; Wilson scampers 68 yards to pay dirt!  Sixty eight yard keeper on the first play and the extra point by Michael Shroble is good.  The score is 7 – 7 with 9:58 left in the 1st quarter.
Shroble kicks deep and KF starts series #2 on the 20.  Heavy pressure by the Oak ‘D’ and KF punts after big solo tackles by middle linebackers Collin Russell and Tyler Jones.  ‘D’ linemen Marcus McClendon and Nathan Hughes snag KF in the backfield for a loss and outside linebacker Lamon Ford comes up with a nice hit on the edge.  Waites signals for a fair catch and Oak takes over 1 – 10 on the 17.  A punt follows. 
KF gets some help from the refs on a safety Nick Baratti interception that is deemed a Forest complete pass.  On the next play outside linebacker Luke Muncie and safety Dashone Smith explode on the ball carrier to force a fumble which is picked up by a KF player in the end zone; and the score is 14 – 7.  A short possession by Oak and Shroble punts one away.  KF is haunted by the Panther ‘D’ again.  Hughes body slams a KF runner for no gain and Russell hammers out a quick sack plus a TFL.  Ford gets in on the action again with another solo tackle in open field.  Back and forth punting by both teams lead to another Eagle TD, with 10:12 left in the 2nd quarter the score is 21 – 7.

The remainder of the 1st half is back and forth.  Big defensive plays by both squads followed by punts.  Offenses try to start cranking up the momentum on numerous occasions only to get jammed up and the drive stalls out.  Coaches and players head to the locker room at half time with KF leading 21 – 7.

Panthers make the first move in the 3rd quarter.  Moreno, Fatu and Denny block down, tackle Kyle Bottoms and guard Greg Flores pull left as Baratti (playing QB) steps into the hole makes two super quick moves then blasts past the KF secondary.  Baratti is shoved out of bounds on the 15 gaining 72 yards on the play.  Two plays later KF recovers a loose ball and return it for a TD.  14 point swing and it KF 27 and KO 7.

Oak has the ball 1st and 10 on the 28.   Two plays later; Baratti (in at QB again) shuffles right, shifts back to the left and blows by the KF defense for a 74 yard TD around the right side making the score 27 - 14.  Key down field blocks provided courtesy of Wilson, Waites and the entire ‘O’ line (with 6:04 to play in the 3rd quarter its 27 – 14).  The Eagles score on their next drive to make the score 33 – 14.  The Panthers are unable to get any traction on the next drive.  KF is stuffed by the Oak ‘D’.  Jones hammers through the line recording a TFL and Lewis, Muncie and number 8 join in on the festivities with a QB sack.  The Eagles punt.

The Panthers work some magic on the next drive.  A screen pass to Gilliam from Wilson picks up 12, Wilson threads the needle to Starr for 12 (great pass and catch in heavy traffic), Gilliam runs left picking up 5 tough yards, Starr makes another big catch for 22 and a couple QB keepers by Wilson (breaking several tackles on a 12 yard TD scamper) makes the score 33 – 21 with 9:37 remaining in the 4th.   The OAK defense is stifling on the next series; Hughes gets another sack, Lewis and Muncie tag-team for another TFL forcing KF to punt from the back of their end zone.

Field position is super fine after a short punt and great return by Waites (and the return team).  Oak starts 1st and 10 on the Eagle 16 yard line.  Tight end Max Stevenson picks up 4 on a quick pass from Wilson, Gilliam runs again for 5 following Bottoms, Flores and wide out Brandon McClain.  Denny pulls right, Wilson fakes left, hangs onto the ball and then follows Gilliam up the middle into the end zone for another TD (breaking tackles on the way).  5:36 left in the 4th and the score is 33 – 28.  KO can taste victory…….   and then ………  KF returns the kick off for a TD.  The extra point is no good and the score is 39 – 28.

Oak shows real poise taking the next series to pay dirt in quick fashion.  HUGE scramble by Wilson (picking up a much needed 1st down), a couple personal foul penalties on the Eagles, Stevenson picks up 12 on a pass play then Starr hauls in a 26 yard touchdown pass in heavy traffic from Wilson behind great protection by the Oak linemen; 39 – 34 with 3:34 left in the game.  The Panther D stays strong forcing a punt but precious time has run off the clock.  When the Panthers get the ball back time runs out  …….

Warriors on this day I tell ya …… the mighty Panthers showed up and left it all on the field.  More district play ahead against Klein Bearcats.  Let’s get a win!!!