The Babylon Panthers roared to a 42-13 rout of the Greenport Porters last Friday night at Greenport. Once again, the game was won up front with the Panther lines commanding the ball on both offense and defense. Babylon used nine running backs to carry the ball 56 times for 324 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Hopkins was 4 of 5 passing for another 83 yards and a TD. Add his 24 yards on the ground and he totaled 107 all purpose yards – all in the first quarter.

                The Panthers had 407 yards from scrimmage and posted 16 first downs. The defense held the Porters to 74 yards rushing and 107 passing on only 29 plays from scrimmage, while forcing three turnovers.

                Babylon scored early and often, putting the ball in the end zone on their first five possessions, helped by a defense that placed them in excellent field position throughout the game. Following Satchel Holder’s 43-yard return of the opening kickoff, they went 45 yards on eight plays, capped on a 6-yard keeper off left tackle by Hopkins. Andrew Hurst added the first of his six extra point kicks.

                Nick Brennan recovered a loose ball on Greenport’s second play at the Porter 21. Three plays later, Hopkins hit Hurst on a right hitch. The fleet flanker raced it in from the 10 for the score. A sack by Andrew Cosby thwarted Greenport’s next drive. The Panthers then went 82 yards on four plays. Hopkins took to the air again, the key a 63-yard bomb to Steve Loudon placing the pigskin on the Porter 16. Fullback Mark Panarelli banged it in from there on a burst up the gut. Sean Logan’s sack ended the next Greenport try.

                On the second play of the second quarter, Trevor Fudim slashed off right tackle and cut right carrying defenders into the near corner of the end zone for 13-yard run, capping a six play 46-yard drive. The next Porter attempt was curtailed on a sack shared by Greg McEnroe and Jim Ainslie. With Sam Zamet at the helm, Babylon’s next drive went 61 yards on eleven plays. This one was capped on a pitch to Jaquan Pate who raced around left end from the 9. The Panther D then caused another turnover as Ainslie tipped a pass which was intercepted by Ryan Berry at the Greenport 41. The Panthers took the ball down to the 1-yard line before the clock ran out to end the half with Babylon enjoying a 35-0 lead.

                The Porters got on the board on their first drive of the second half. They went 65 yards on six plays with Antoine Hunter running it in from the 3. Ted Stevens kicked the extra point. Babylon’s last score was on a 34-yard end sweep by Satchel Holder. Greenport showed some life in the final period, but the Panthers hindered their efforts on an interception by Jordan Carlock and a sack by Jose Jimenez. The Porters scored in the last minute and a half on a 3-yard burst by Tyler McNeil. That play was set up by a 22-yard right post from Dan Letteriello to Stevens down the middle, a picture play. The extra point kick attempt was blocked by Mike Owens.

                Following the game, coach Rick Punzone expressed his satisfaction. “We were fortunate that our Smurfs got the opportunity to play most of the game. It’s always good to see them get in and succeed.” The Smurfs wear their title as a badge of honor. These are those guys that sweat in the pits at every practice and stand ready on the sidelines at every game. After going up against the powerful starting Panthers every day, they certainly welcome game time against other teams. The Smurfs have been a major factor in Babylon’s success down through the years.

                Other stuff: Satchel Holder had 6 carries for 68 yards and a TD. Add his 69 yards on two kick returns for 137 all purpose yards. His brother Rod carried 14 times for 47 yards. For Greenport, McNeil had 7 carries for 44 yards and a TD. He caught three passes for 57 yards and returned two kicks for 34, making a total 135 all purpose yards. Letteriello was 4 of 9 for 92 yards passing.

                Next up: Babylon goes to Mount Sinai to play the highly ranked Mustangs tomorrow night (Friday, October 2, 7 pm). The Panthers and Mustangs have been among the division’s top four over the most of the past ten years. Both are tough, both are 3-0 and both will be up for this one.