Saucon Valley defenders Jared Harka and Evan Deily chasing down the Pirates.
After rolling up a 28-2 league record and dominating to earn three consecutive titles over the past three years, the Panthers Colonial League championship run has come to an end. Friday night, at Palisades, Saucon Valley handed the Colonial League championship trophy over to the Palisades Pirates.
The two teams exchanged possessions in the opening minutes of the game. Palisades was then able to move the ball down to the Saucon Valley 8-yardline. The Panther defense stiffened and held the Pirates to a Jared Colletti field goal making it 3-0 with 2:32 left to play in the first quarter.
Alstan Wolfe tries to get a piece of Jared Colletti’s kick.
The Panthers went three-and-out on their next possession and gave the ball right back. Palisades took possession at their own 42-yardline. After five plays the Pirates Trey Gretzinger broke free from the Panther defense and scampered for a 27-yard touchdown run. The PAT was wide but with 10:49 left to play in the first half, Palisades led 9-0.
Saucon Valley’s Zach Petiet gets the angle on Palisades Trey Gretzinger.
The Panthers took the ensuing kickoff and marched for ten plays to the Palisades 30-yardline. But, the promising drive ran out of steam where the Panthers turned it over on downs. The Panther defense took the field in ill-humor and forced the Pirates to punt. Saucon Valley regained possession at their own 33-yardline. After five plays, Alstan Wolfe went play-action pass and found Ian Csicsek behind the defense for a 50-yard completion down to the Pirate 2-yardline. Wolfe went QB sneak and found the endzone. Anthony Kittelstad’s extra-point attempt was blocked but the Panthers clawed back into the game. With 2:24 left until halftime, the Panthers trailed 9-6.
Alstan Wolfe finds the endzone against the Palisades Pirates.
Palisades, however was able to answer right back. Starting with great field possession at midfield courtesy of a good kickoff return, the Pirates went big on their very first play. And, it paid off as Ethan Brader cast a laser that hit Jared Colletti in stride for a 49-yard touchdown reception. Colletti then helped himself with a good PAT that made it a 16-6 halftime score.
Alstan Wolfe squares up on Jared Colletti.
The Panthers deferred their option from the pregame coin-toss and chose to take the ball in the second half. But, after going 3-and-out on their initial possession, the Pirates Jared Colletti owned the third quarter. Colletti converted a 50-yard TD run and a 20- yard field goal to extend the Pirate lead to 26-6.
The Panthers were on the prowl to try and stop the Pirate offense.
For good measure, the Pirates Trey Gretzinger added a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to end all scoring. With the 33-6 victory over the Panthers, Palisades earned sole claim to the 2017 Colonial League championship.
Freshman David Osman and the Panther offensive line had their work cut out for them against a tough Pirate defense.
UP NEXT: No. 3 Saucon Valley (6-4) will prepare for a District XI SATURDAY night football fight against the No. 2 Allentown Central Catholic Vikings (6-4). The District XI semifinal is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Muhlenberg College.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
The past three years were indeed a nice championship ride through the Colonial League for the Saucon Valley Panthers!
