Cy-Creek kicked off to Panthers to start the game and on the 2nd and 2, J. Toth connected with J. Williams for 65-yard TD pass. Following N. Lalou’s XP kick, the Panthers were up 7-0 only 45 seconds into the game. The Cougar’s first possession was another ‘3 and out’ as C. Robinson and M. Gonzales (Gonzo) kept them from running up the middle. Gonzo applied pressure on the punt, which was squibed and recovered by LaLou. The Panthers began a 6-play drive that ended with a J. Toth 5-yard TD run. A key play in the drive was a 7-yard pass to M. Wright on 4th and 3 to keep the drive going. Lalou’s XP made it 14-0 with 5:40 remaining in the 1Q. On the Cougars next possession, they moved the ball early, but were shut down after getting their first of only seven first downs allowed by the defense the entire game. Following the Cougars punt, the Panthers continued their lightning offense wuth a 36-yard run by M. Pickens and a few plays later another TD pass from J. Toth to J. Williams. However, a penalty brought the ball back and the Cougar 36. On 3rd and 14, Toth completed a 20-yard pass to B. Poth for the first down. Pickens 7-yard TD run capped three consecutive running plays and Lalou’s XP gave KO a 21-0 lead with 0:44 seconds left in the 1Q.
The Cougars began their longest sustained drive of the game at the beginning of the 2Q starting at the 20. A TD saving tackle by C. Toth was followed by consecutive penalties against the KO defense that brought to ball to the Panthers 31. The defense stiffened a tackle for a loss by Lazo forced the Cougars to punt. Cy-Creed’s defense then held the Panthers to a ‘3 and out’ and gave them the ball at the KO 42. The secondary held as four consecutive plays fell incomplete and the Cougars turned the ball over on downs. J. Morgan took over at QB and a 7-yard run by Pickens gave a first down, but the Cougars held and the Panthers turned in over on downs. After another ‘3 and out’, the Panthers took over at the Cougar 29. On their first play, Morgan caught K. Buchanan in stride for a 71-yard TD completion just before halftime to stretch the lead to 27-0 (XP unsuccessful).
The Cougars took the ball to start the second half, but on their second play, C. Robinson recovered a fumble for the Panthers. J. Cabrera and J. Toth ran for 2 first downs before the offense stalled and turned it over on downs. Cy-Creek got 2 quick first downs before the Panthers defense settled down and forced another punt. A bad snap pushed KO back to the 7, but a pass interfernce play gave them a first down and the ball at the 22. ON the next play, J. Cabrera broke loose for what should have been a 78-yard TD run, but offsetting penalties negated the long run. The CC defense held, forcing another KO punt. The Cougars got a quick first down, but a tackle for loss by Lazo and B. Mount forced them into passing plays, followed by a couple of incompletions. A CC punt with no return at the 29 gave the ball to the Panthers to start the 4Q. They then moved the ball downfield by the combination of Cabrera and Morgan runs and a key pass from Morgan to P. Maisel on 3rd and 5. Pickens ran for an apparent 18-yard TD, but penalties brought the ball back. Morgan converted on 4th and 1 and Hampton scored on a 2 yard run to push the score to 34-0. The Cougars opened up their offense and moved the ball down to the 30, but an interception by C. Kuehn turned it over to the Panthers. Morgan picked up 69-yards rushing on the first play, but it was called back for holding. KO handed off to Cabrera for the remaining plays to run out the clock and giving the Panthers their second win of the season.
Offense stars were spread around to many players. J. Toth and Morgan passed for 92 and 86-yards, respectively. J. Williams and K. Buchanan both had long TD receptions, and Poth and Maisel came up with key 3rd and long completions. Cabrera (77-yards) and Pickens (63-yards) led the rushing attack. The Panthers racked up 390 yards of total offense, not counting 167-yards called back for penalties. N. Lalou completed 4 XP kicks and his kickoff and punts kept the Cougars from starting in good field position.
As well as the offense performed, the defense held the Cougars to only 7 first downs and many outstanding plays. C. Robinson had a fumble recovery for the second consecutive game and led with 5 tackles. Gonzo was constantly applying pressure in the backfield and caused a number of hurried passes. C. Toth, N. Redmon, T. Majewski, Carabine, Romaguera, and Carabine and Q. Pasche contained the Cougar receivers. C. Kuehn had an interception and a few key tackles. J. Jones, Lazo, Brackens helped plug up the middle.
Getting an early, large lead helped the coaches with their player rotation and led to a comparatively easy win. The Panthers will need to continue playing well against North Shore if they hope to avenge last year’s losses as freshmen. Good luck!
