Panthers Overcome Mustangs, 27-6
by Tony Spota
Mount Sinai, NY - The
Babylon Panthers knocked the Mount Sinai Mustangs from
the ranks of the undefeated last Friday night at Harry
Randall Field in Mount Sinai. The turf arena is named
for their long time school custodian. The powerful
Mustangs weren’t at full strength (injuries and flu) and
the Big Cats were too strong on this evening.
Following a fine solo rendition of our National
Anthem by student Marie Pierce, the Panthers took quick
control. Their second possession went 78 yards on seven
plays, capped on a 15-yard sweep around right end by
Trevor Fudim. The scoring play followed a 10-yard pass
from Dylan Hopkins over the middle to a wide open Justin
Ciccone in the end zone, but that one was called back on
a motion penalty.
The Mustangs responded with a long drive of their
own going 75 yards on twelve plays. Recovering from a
shared sack by Andrew Cosby and Colin Greene, sophomore
quarterback Austin Kay led the Colt drive with three
strikes in the air for 55 yards. Jesse Baldassare raced
around right end for the touchdown. It was the first
time this year that any team scored in the first half
against Babylon’s stone wall defense. The half ended
tied, 6-6.
The Panthers owned the second half, scoring three
unanswered touchdowns. Ending Mount Sinai’s first
possession, Steve Loudon gathered the punt and went the
distance, 55 yards. But that one was called back. Three
plays later, Hopkins fired deep down the right side.
Loudon leaped high over the defenders and snatched the
ball before zipping into the end zone for the touchdown,
a 53-yard pass play. Andrew Hurst added the first of his
three extra point kicks.
The Mustangs threatened when they got the ball. A
left buttonhook from Kay to Joe Bonjiorno with a fine
run by the receiver went for 47 yards. The drive ended
with a shared sack by Jordan Carlock and Jim Ainslie and
the Panthers took over on their own 25. The Panthers
struck again with a pair of explosive plays. Fullback
Mark Panarelli blasted over right tackle to the 46. From
there, Hopkins gunned a deep left fly to Loudon who ran
it in, a 54-yard strike.
The Panthers weren’t done. On their next
possession, they drove 80 yards on eleven plays.
Tailback Jaquan Pate opened it with a slash off right
tackle. He cut left, got 25 yards and Babylon got 15
more for a mask penalty. The drive was capped on fourth
and goal from the 1. Fudim tried right guard and
appeared to be stopped at the 3, but with the help of
the strong Panther middle, he clawed his way in for the
TD. Mount’s last thrust was killed on a sack by Greene
and a pass tipped by James O’Rourke which wobbled down
field and was picked off by Ciccone to end the contest,
27-6.
Coach Rick Punzone said, “It’s always a tough
game against Mount Sinai. They played well and very
hard. Their excellent third down plays kept our offense
off the field. We had two touchdowns called back and
their very hard play made it close until the second
half.”
Other stuff: Kudos to Babylon’s super defensive
line – Nick Brennan, Andrew Cosby, Zach Daniele, Colin
Greene, Mike Owens, Andrew Slawson. They contained a
strong rushing attack and provided a big rush against
the passing game. The Panther pass protection was
excellent on offense, as well. The Big Cats continue to
shine. Hopkins completed four (all to Loudon) for 148
yards and two TDs. Panarelli starred on both sides of
the ball. He had nine carries for 89 yards. Pate had
nine for 71 and Fudim ten for 56 and two TDs. Loudon had
168 all purpose yards, 148 in receptions and 20 in
returns. Greene’s only punt went 50 yards. For Mount
Sinai, Kay was 5 of 9 for 116 yards passing. Bonjiorno
caught three for 90 and Robert Murphy carried eighteen
times for 113.
This Saturday (October 10), the Panthers play
their third straight away game. They’ll meet the Bayport
Phantoms. Game time is 2 pm.
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