12 October, 2023- The Lebanon Warriors pull ahead and defeat the Central Panthers with a final score of 21-42.
The Panthers start the game with their kickoff, attempting an onside kick to gain the ball early. Lebanon would recover the ball at the 40-yard line, and the drive would continue as usual. The Warriors would challenge the Panthers right out of the gate, scoring a touchdown within the first 3 minutes. The extra point by Kicker Caleb Black would be good, the score starting 0-7.
Listening to the challenge, the Panthers aimed to fire back. After receiving the kick and wide receiver Jackson Stevens scoring a first down, the Panthers first drive looked promising. Number 12, Andrew Taufa’asau, would keep the momentum going as he would complete a catch for a 25-yard gain, making it first and goal for Central. Ending the drive with a three-yard carry, running back Asa Pritchard Moa would score the touchdown for the Panthers. With the extra point good, the score was now tied at sevens.
The Panthers would attempt yet another onside kick, this one just barely missing the hands of Central's special teams. Lebanon would recover and start at the 33-yard line. Putting pressure on early, the Central defense would force a fumble by the quarterback Brison Edwards, which Lebanon would then recover. Continuing the trend, defensive lineman Gabe Haines would knock down a pass and force Lebanon to go for it at fourth down. The clock would expire for the first quarter after several first downs by the Warriors' offense.
Continuing the drive, Lebanon scrambles for a touchdown. A sack by linebacker Moses Garcia would increase the pressure for the offense. Finally ending the drive, wide receiver Logan Large would complete a 13-yard catch for a touchdown, furthering the score to 7-14.
The Panthers would receive the kickoff from Lebanon’s Caleb Black, Central’s Jacksons Stevens would have a 28-yard run. Following this, running back Andrew Eames would gain 15 yards. The Panthers would have a scare of their own, with a fumble and then a recovery by Pritchard Moa. This drive would, unfortunately for Central, end in a punt.
After receiving the ball and fighting through a long drive, Lebanon would extend their lead by 14. A turnover by the Panthers following the score would lead to the Warriors having yet another long drive. Unlike the other, this one would be cut short by Taufa’asau as he intercepts it and runs it back before the clock runs out for the half.
When back from halftime, Central starts with the ball with a newfound hunger for victory. Three consecutive first downs by Pritchard Moa and Taufa’asau would lead to a 50-yard gain. This successful drive would end with Pritchard Moa running it in for a touchdown, closing the gap 14-21.
The momentum carries over to defense as Central forces Lebanon to punt for the first time in the game. Sadly, this did not last long as the Warriors’ defensive back, Levi Hoffman, would intercept one of the Central passes later on in the drive. Lebanon would shortly score another touchdown on their drive with a 44-yard run by Carlos Villafana Garcia. This would mark the end of the third quarter, the score 14-28.
The start of the fourth quarter is marked by yet another long drive by the Warriors, ending in a touchdown by tight end Hayden George. Even when the Panthers would receive the ball, defensive back Spencer Frey would intercept it and make way for the Lebanon offense to score another touchdown. The score would be 14-42.
On the next drive, a remarkable play by Taufa’asau would ignite the spirit within Panther Stadium. A 30-yard catch that turns into a 35-yard run would bring the Panther offense to the one-yard line, a prime set-up for a comeback. Taufa’asau would finish the drive, scoring a touchdown and bringing the score to 21-42.
With 3:10 left to go, Lebanon continues to run out the clock to eliminate the possibility of a Central victory. The clock would run out after a 39-yard gain and a final knee, and the Panthers would officially lose 21-42.
Although a tough way to end senior night, the Panthers still have two games left this season. The next will be Friday, October 20th, at their rivals, the Dallas Dragons. Support the second to last game of the season and be loud. We’ll see you there, Panthers!
Seniors of the Central Panther team include Emilio Travino, Andrew Eames, Copeland Hays, Aidan Schalock, Kai Bennett, Chase Moore, Emilio Reyna, Noah Romero, Kyler Wright, Carlos Rodriguez, Ismael Contreras, and Alex Nava.
All photos are by Brielle Lowry :)