Knights Nip Panthers in Overtime Thriller

by Tony Spota

            The Knights of Glenn came from behind to score twice in the last five and a half minutes sending the game into overtime and then scored to edge the Babylon Panthers, 20-14. It was another thriller last Saturday night at Williams Field, repeating last year’s overtime win by Glenn. In both instances, the two rivals were previously unbeaten at 5-0. Babylon totaled 328 yards on 63 plays from scrimmage with 15 first downs while holding Glenn to 211 yards (115 with less than six minutes remaining) on 42 plays and 10 first downs. But the scoreboard trumped the stats on this evening.

            The first half seesawed back and forth scoreless until the Panthers broke the ice with 29 seconds remaining. The drive went 70 yards on fourteen plays with quarterback Dylan Hopkins passing in each of the last five plays, completing three for 29 yards. He capped the drive on a roll to the right. Seeking a receiver, the southpaw spun left and lofted across field to a leaping Steve Loudon in the near corner of the end zone. The play went for fifteen yards. Andrew Hurst added the first of his two extra point kicks. The half ended with Glenn kicker Reyes Guevara attempting a 47-yard field goal which fell just short of the crossbar.

            The halftime included a fine performance by the Babylon Cheerleaders. They’re out there every game, rain or shine, hot or freezing (like this night). Kudos go to coach Fallon Nugent and her performers – Jaycee Angello, Carey Asner, Jenny Banks, Claire Buser, Ashley Byrne, Abigail Carlock, Megan Cernilli, Corinne Delgatto, Samantha Discostanzo, Katie Green, Taylor Grottola, Sarah Halliday, Katee Martino, Alyssa Mayo, Maggie Melito, Christy Necroto, Kristyn Palazzolo, Kaitlyn Patwell, Bianca Signorelli and Jessica Tillinghast – and the Babylon Panther, Avery Bzdyk.

            Babylon went right to work in the second half. Loudon took the kickoff at the Babylon 7-yard line and zipped it up to the 45. Two plays later, fullback Mark Panarelli blasted up the gut, shucked tacklers, broke right and galloped 51 yards for the TD. Back to back sacks by Trevor Fudim and Nick Brennan thwarted the next Glenn possession and Mike Manin’s spiral punt put the Panthers back to their own 6. Here the Big Cats went to work enabling Babylon to hog the ball for twenty plays, all the way to the Knight 2-yard line. The 19-yard field goal attempt was lined, just outside the left upright.

            The two teams swapped three-and-outs. A Panther punt took a Glenn bounce and went back to the Babylon 40. Knight quarterback Ryan Rielly tossed a left screen to Pat Pascal, but the Panther D corralled the receiver for a 5-yard loss. On the next play, Rielly hit the speedy receiver on a left slant and Pascal went the distance for the score. Guevara kicked the extra point. The clock showed 5:35 to go. But the momentum clearly shifted. Guevara’s kickoff went to the end zone. Babylon drove from their 20 up to midfield. On fourth and inches, the Knight defense prevailed. They had a terrific game, sometimes yielding, but never really breaking – up front, Kyle Satchell who starred on both sides of the ball and his fellow guard Joe Giaramita with John McDermott, Moses Johnson and Mike  Pinto. Linebackers Matt Forsberg, Joe Princiotta and Jack Moorehead contained, as well.

            With 1:38 remaining and the ball at midfield, the wily Rielly took advantage of a permit defense. Capitalizing on the time allowed by a three man front and soft outsides, he fired 19 yards to Pascal and raced for another 20 around the right side, taking the Knights to the Babylon 4. With 28 ticks remaining, tailback Austin Cohen took it in around the left side and Guevara tied it with his second extra point kick.

            In overtime, the ground rules have each team beginning at the other’s 20 with first downs permitted.  Glenn’s defense stopped the Panther attack just short of a first down at the 10. Then Glenn took their turn. On third and 1 at the 11, Cohen ran around the left side to the 1 for a first down. From there, Moorehead crashed it in over left guard for the win – his only carry of the evening.

            Glenn coach Dave Shanahan lauded his long time rival. “We were very fortunate to win. Babylon has a great program. They’re a class act.” The same may be said of Glenn’s program.

            Other stuff: The faithful crowd was there in the freezing weather and the Babylon Pep Band supplied their numbers under the direction of Angela Turk. Panarelli had 20 carries for 135 yards and a TD, Jaquan Pate 18 for 68 and Trevor Fudim 11 for 57. Justin Ciccone caught three for 22 yards. Loudon recovered a fumble. For Glenn, Rielly was 6 of 12 passing for 80 yards and a TD. He had 11 carries for 43 yards – a total 123 all purpose. Cohen carried 18 times for 87 and a TD. Pascal caught three for 59 and a TD. He also had 104 yards in kick/punt returns for a total 163 all purpose.

            The week’s results have the top three teams with two undefeated. Glenn and Hampton Bays are each 6-0, Babylon is 5-1. All are likely playoff contenders. Saturday, Glenn will host Mount Sinai (4-2). Hampton Bays is at Center Moriches (4-2). Babylon has its Homecoming game against Shoreham (2-4) at Williams Field. Game time is 2 pm.

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