The Panthers and the festive post-game speech after defeating Selinsgrove in the PIAA Quarterfinals!
Friday night the Saucon Valley Panthers lost the coin toss. However, the Panthers would take advantage of a fast start and win the the night to eliminate the Selinsgrove Seals and keep their dreams alive for the 2015 state championship. Saucon Valley dominated the Seals 35-7 in a mercy-rule victory that put the Panthers into the semifinals against Imhotep Charter Friday at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium (Liberty).
The Seals won the toss and opted to defer their option to the second half. Therefore, the Panthers chose to receive the opening kickoff. Saucon Valley used seven plays to march 69 yards for their first touchdown of the night. The score came on a fourth and goal from the three yard line. Quarterback Zach Thatcher rolled to his left and rifled a pass to Nate Harka who made the grab for a touchdown with a Seal defender draped all over him. Panther kicker Josh Snead converted the extra point to put Saucon up 7-0.
Saucon Valley scored again two plays later when Evan Culver intercepted Logan Leiby’s pass and returned it 28 yards for a “pick-six”. It was Selinsgrove’s first offensive play of the game. Snead would again convert to put the Panthers up 14-0 with 7:15 remaining in the first quarter.
The teams traded punts and Selinsgrove seemed to have found some offensive rhythm. The Seals were able to drive to the Saucon Valley eight yard line. The Panther defense had had enough. The next three plays, the Seals tried to run the ball and spring their stud running back, Juvon Batts, loose into the end zone. The Panthers were all over him. Then, on fourth and goal from the four yard line, the Seals tried to pass for the score. But, Mike Kane was able to speed rush from his defensive end position and flush Leiby to his right toward the inhospitable welcoming of Ryan Meyers and Mike Paolini. Leiby had no choice but to throw a prayer into the end zone that was spiked to the ground by Nate Harka for an incomplete pass. The Seals took their best shot of the night and the Panthers didn’t give in.
Not only did the defense hold, but the Panthers marched right back the other way. The Panthers put together a 12-play drive that covered 97 yards. Evan Culver exploded right up the middle from 8 yards out and powered his way into the end zone with 3:52 left in the half. Snead kicked the final point of the half and the Panthers extended their lead to 21-0.
The Panthers picked up where they left off at the start of the second half. They played solid defense, limiting the Seals to an 8-play drive and forcing a punt. The Saucon Valley offense acknowledged the effort of the defense by uncorking a 90 yard touchdown run by Evan Culver. Culver must have run so fast that the cameraman missed the play. With 8:52 remaining in the third quarter, Snead converted another extra point to put the Panthers up 28-0.
Selinsgrove received the ball, but the Panther defense would again bend but not break. The Panther defensive front was bringing the pressure, forcing Leiby to look for refuge rather than his receivers downfield. On 1st and 10 from the Panther 29 yard line, Cody Zrinski pushed the pocket, forcing Leiby to roll hard to his right. Mike Paolini, smelling the blood in the water, attacked Leiby from his outside linebacker position. With very few options, Leiby tried to force a pass to his receiver but was instead intercepted by Saucon’s Alstan Wolfe.
It was another turnover that led to more Panther points. Saucon Valley marched 67 yards in 8 plays and finished with Evan Culver powering his way in for a 2 yard touchdown score. Snead successfully booted his fifth extra point of the night and with 4:29 to play in the third quarter, the mercy-rule clock had started with the Panthers leading 35-0.
The Selinsgrove starters finally got on the scoreboard against the Panther reserves with 3:15 remaining in the game. But the Saucon backups showed feisty resolve, not making it easy for the Seals. The final score, Saucon Valley 35 – Selinsgrove 7.
Offensively, Evan Culver had a typical Evan Culver night rushing for 207 yards on 24 carries and 3 touchdowns. Zach Thatcher averaged 10 yards per carry, running 10 times for 103 yards. Thatcher was also 4 of 7 for 50 yards passing, including the touchdown to Nate Harka.
Defensively, the Panthers continue to impress. Selinsgrove had the reputation of putting up scary numbers against their opponents. However, their offense left with a whimper against this Panther defense. Saucon limited the explosive Juvon Batts to 71 yards on 13 carries and Logan Leiby to 7 of 19 passing for 100 yards. Thirty of those passing yards came on his touchdown throw against the Saucon Valley JV team in the waning moments of the game.
In the post-game speech, Coach Evancho told his players to enjoy the win with their family and friends. He also told them to be ready for Monday. The new week brings the preparation process for the new challenge. The next challenge for the Panthers will be Imhotep Charter in the PIAA state semifinals on Friday night. Beware Imhotep, the Saucon Valley Panthers are on a roll and you are in their way.
