Zach Petiet follows Christian Alling toward an opening night victory against the Bangor Slaters.
The Saucon Valley Panthers opened the 2017 season with a convincing 43-13 win over the visiting Bangor Slaters Friday night. Offense, defense and special teams all had their bright moments for the Panthers, but there are, no doubt, some areas of concern for Coach Sams and staff to iron out as they move forward. Considering it was the first game of the long season, however, the Panthers proved to be on track as they pursue a fourth consecutive league title.
The Panther defense was stout and held the Slaters to a 3-and-out on the first possession of the game. After the Bangor punt, it was Saucon Valley’s turn to put the ball in play. The Panthers started their drive with a rushing attack on their mind that included a pair of 21-yard gains up the gut by Zach Petiet. Saucon finished their touchdown drive with a 14-yard play-action, bootleg pass from Alstan Wolfe to Steven Rose. Erik Sundlof’s extra point attempt was blocked, but with eight minutes remaining in the 1st quarter the Panthers led 6-0.
Kelvin Gallard (27) hustles to make a tackle for the Panthers.
On Bangor’s next offensive series the Slaters managed to throw for a first down and run for another. But, thanks to Saucon Valley’s Ian Csicsek sniffing out a Bangor screen-pass attempt on third and long from their own 45 yard-line, the Slaters were again forced to punt.
Saucon Valley started their next series at their own 45 yard-line after a 20-yard punt return by Zach Petiet. The Panthers again cashed-in on a 7-play drive that featured a couple of Alstan Wolfe runs. First, Wolfe scrambled for 29 yards on a 1st & 10 from the Slater 45 yard-line. Then, two plays later on a 3rd & 10 from the 16 yard-line, Wolfe scrambled to a score when he reversed field back to his left off a play-action pass attempt. The Panthers missed on their 2-point try, and at the close of the 1st Quarter, the Panthers were up 12-0.
Thanks to those lovable Hogs, Alstan Wolfe was good in the air and Alstan Wolfe was good on the ground.
Once again Saucon’s stingy defense forced Bangor to a three-and-out and found themselves with great field position after Bangor’s punt. Petiet, returned the kick 16-yards into Slater territory. The Panthers started their third series at the Slater 43-yard line. With Zach Petiet getting a little break, Ian Csicsek stepped in admirably to carry the load. After a Wolfe to Rose completion for 12 yards and a first down, Csicsek carried off right tackle for a nine yard pick-up on his first touch. The very next play, Csicsek started to his left, but found room cutting back to his right and beat the defenders to the end zone for an impressive 22-yard touchdown scamper. Sundlof booted the extra point through the uprights for a 19-0 Panther advantage.
The Slaters mixed together a little run and pass to come back with a touchdown and conversion after a 7 play drive. With 7:48 remaining in the half, the scoreboard favored Saucon Valley 19-7.
Perhaps motivated by the Slater score, the Panther offense screamed right back with a three play scoring drive. After a couple of modest carries by Zach Petiet and a Bangor penalty, the Panther staff called on senior Steven Rose to run “Jet Sweep.” Rose took his calling in stride and raced 53 yards around the left end to pay dirt. Sundlof’s point-after kick was good and the Panthers built a 26-7 lead with 6:27 left on the first half clock.
Zach Petiet rushed for nearly 100 yards on Week 1.
Bangor responded with a 14-play series that included Ryan Holub’s “Krunch Time!” tackle, but the drive stalled at the Saucon Valley 8-yard line when the Slaters turned the ball over on downs after a pass attempt fell incomplete in the Panther end zone. The Panthers bled the last few ticks on the first-half clock and went into the locker room looking good with a comfortable 26-7 lead.
Early in the third period, “Lightning” struck at 10:43 in the Slater end zone after Zach Petiet found room off his left side for a 21-yard touchdown run. Sundlof connected again for the PAT and the Panthers increased their lead to 33-7.
On the ensuing kickoff Sundlof hit a lob-shot with his foot-wedge to the Slater 30 yard-line directly in front of the Panther bench. The kickoff gave the the Slater return men a little trouble and they could not handle the ball cleanly. Ian Csicsek alertly recovered the fumble and the Panther offense was back in business with another short field to navigate.
The Panther offense rushed for almost 300 yards in the season opener versus Bangor.
The Panther offense sputtered a little bit and after six plays was faced with a 4th & 20 from the Slater 27 yard-line. With 6’2″, 215 Patrick Morrissey getting single coverage out wide, Wolfe called Morrissey’s number and threw fade for a Panther gain of 23 yards to create 1st & Goal from the Bangor four yard-line. Two plays later Alstan Wolfe scrambled to his right and dove into the end-zone for another Panther touchdown. Sundlof made good on another PAT and the Panthers led 40-7 with 6:10 to go in the 3rd Quarter.
After another short kickoff, Bangor took over at their own 42-yard line but turned the ball over on downs after only four plays. The Panthers took over at the Slater 48-yard line. Saucon Valley seemingly battled themselves with a few penalties, but ultimately they came away with three points courtesy of Sundlof’s 27-yard field goal. Sundlof’s field goal started the mercy-rule clock and put the Panthers up 43-7 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Senior Erik Sundlof was cool, calm and impressive even though it is his first year playing football.
Bangor cashed in on a late touchdown as the fans were exiting the stadium making it a 43-13 final. The Panthers were far from perfect, but the good certainly outweighed the bad. Saucon never punted and registered almost 400 yards of total offense. The defense and special teams created a couple turnovers. However, the Panthers gave up a couple turnovers of their own and were penalized nine times for 65 yards. No doubt, Coach Sams and his staff will have a little list of fixes for the upcoming week of practice.
The 2017 Saucon Valley football team has picked up where they left off in the Colonial League. The Panthers’ quest for a fourth consecutive Colonial League title remains on track. Step #1 is in the books, and now it is time to savor the victory for a day and get back to work preparing for Step #2 next Friday night.
UP NEXT:
- Friday, 9/1/17 Saucon Valley is at home v. Pen Argyl at 7 p.m.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
The Panthers getting ready for the next play.
Here come the 2017 Saucon Valley Panthers!
The Saucon Valley offense was lined up and ready to go on opening night.
It was a gorgeous August night for high school football.
The Panther coaching staff making good use of a timeout.
SV High School Principal Beth Guarriello and staff taking care of the pregame tailgate.
It was Hawaiian Night in the Jungle.
The Panther cheerleaders getting in a good workout on opening night.
