Panthers Awaken To Scalp Warriors 42-14 (Sponsored by Cheyenne Reiman, Realtor)

The Saucon Valley Panthers overcame a sluggish start to rally and defeat the Wilson Warriors 42-14 on Saturday.  Perhaps, the 1:30 p.m. early afternoon kickoff interfered with the Panthers typical weekend routine, but when it was all over, Saucon Valley was able to wake up and emphatically secure the victory and improve to a 6-2 record.

The Warriors struck quickly when quarterback Cam Clark kept on “option” and raced 52 yards for a touchdown.  The extra-point kick was good and the Warriors jumped on the sleepy Panthers to take a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game.

Saucon Valley’s Ian Csicsek returned the following kickoff out to midfield, but on the Panther’s very first play from scrimmage the Warriors Donnell Davis and his 310 pounds hooked Alstan Wolfe’s arm to force a fumble as Wolfe ran by him.  Wilson recovered, but fumbled it right back to the Panthers when Patrick Morrissey stripped the ball while sacking Wilson’s Clark.

The Panther offense was back in business at the Warrior 35-yardline and five plays later found the endzone on a beautifully executed “speed option” from Wolfe to Petiet.  The PAT hit the crossbar and the Panthers trailed 7-6 at the 4:51 mark of the opening quarter of play.

Saucon’s defense forced a three-and-out the next Warrior series and five Panther plays later Alstan Wolfe took the plunge for a 1-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak.  The scoring drive covered 55 yards and the touchdown was set up on a 45-yard scamper by Wolfe who was dangerously dragged down backward by his collar from behind at the Warrior 4-yardline.  The illegal “horse-collar” tackle was obvious to all in attendance, but somehow went unnoticed by the entire officiating crew.  Regardless, the Panthers converted their 2-point try to take a 14-7 lead with 1:11 remaining in the 1st Quarter.

After exchanging punts, Wilson senior Job Goodman found the left edge of the Panther defense and followed the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown burst.  Goodman, a hugely decorated track and field athlete, was the the 2017  bronze medalist in the PIAA “AAA” 110-meter hurdles state championship.  With 7:19 remaining in the half, the score was locked at 14-14.

Two plays and :52 seconds later the Panthers screamed back to take the lead when Alstan Wolfe kept on an option play and found room through the gut of the Warrior defense.  Wolfe followed  a “Krunch-Time!” block by Big-Tim Weaver and cruised into the endzone for a 59-yard touchdown run.  Anthony Kittelstad’s PAT kick was good and it looked as though Saucon Valley started hitting their stride with a 21-14 lead.

On the very next series after three Warrior plays, Christian “Mongo” Alling intercepted a deflected Cameron Clark pass at Wilson’s 43-yardline to regain possession for the Panthers.  Five plays later, with 2:50 left on the first-half clock, “Lightning” struck when Zach Petiet punched the ball into the endzone for a 5-yard score.  Kittelstad’s kick was good and the Panthers took a 28-14 lead into the halftime break.

Saucon Valley received the second-half kickoff and methodically marched 62 yards for another score capped by another 1-yard Alstan Wolfe quarterback sneak.  It was Wolfe’s third TD of the game.  Panther kicker Kittelstad connected for the PAT and three minutes into the 2nd Half, Saucon Valley was in command 35-14.

The Panther defense was alive and feisty limiting the Warrior one-two punch of Goodman and Clark to only five offensive plays on their next series.  Wilson was forced to punt and after a Warrior penalty, the Panthers took possession at midfield.  Six plays later Zach Petiet scored his third TD on an option pitch from Wolfe.  Kittlestad’s PAT would end all scoring and Saucon Valley secured their sixth victory of the season by a 42-14 score.

UP NEXT: Saucon Valley (6-2) will be back home for a Friday night football fight against the Notre Dame Crusaders (6-2).  War has been declared! Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!