The Panthers Ian Csicsek ran for a tough 341 yards against the Notre Dame Crusaders.
After last week’s homecoming beatdown by the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers giving Saucon Valley their first loss of the season, the Panthers found themselves in the virtual Colonial League title game against the Notre Dame on Friday night. Even with one week remaining on the regular-season schedule, the result of the Panther v. Crusader matchup would essentially determine the 2018 Colonial League champions.
The game was an instant classic for those who enjoyed offense. Notre Dame’s aerial attack led by record-setting quarterback Cole DeFranco would put it all on the line against record-setting running back Ian “Sizzler” Csicsek and his Panther teammates. It was matchup up of opposing offensive styles. It was the ground-and-pound “Bully Ball” of Saucon Valley against the “Chuck and Duck” passing attack of Notre Dame.
Csicsek set a Panther record for his 341 yards rushing in a single game.
After almost 1,000 yards in total offense, fifty-four 1st downs and ninety-three total points, the game ended in dramatic fashion with the scoreboard reading 49-44 in favor of the Crusaders. Nonetheless, it was an action packed and high scoring affair.
The Panthers won the coin-toss but deferred their option to the second half allowing Notre Dame to take the first possession. The Crusaders crafted a quick, eight-play drive that ended with a 27-yard DeFranco touchdown pass. The Crusaders Ethen Aquino split a couple of Saucon defenders on a skinny-post route for the score. The extra-point was good and only two minutes into the game Notre Dame took a 7-0 lead.
Saucon answered right back as they used 14 running plays to get to the end zone. The final play of the Panther scoring drive featured Ian Csicsek charging forward off left- tackle for the score. Sean Cyphers PAT kick was good and Saucon Valley tied the score 7-7 with 3:30 remaining in the opening quarter.
Mongo chipped in with a touchdown run, but was a beast blocking for Csicsek.
DeFranco and his Crusader cast responded almost immediately. Isaiah DeJesus grabbed a DeFranco pass and raced down the Notre Dame sideline for a 24-yard touchdown. DeJesus executed a little stalk-and-go to find space in the Panther defense for the score. The PAT hit its mark and with a little over a minute left in the first quarter, Notre Dame was up 14-7.
Behind the Hogs, the Saucon Valley rushing attack stormed back once again. In only seven plays, the Panthers hit pay dirt when Christian “Mongo” Alling powered his way into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run. Cyphers again converted his kick to tie it up. With 10:18 left to play in the 1st half, the scoreboard was deadlocked 14-14.
Notre Dame fired up their offensive machine once again. This time it took DeFranco & Co. eight plays to take the lead. With a little over seven minutes remaining in the half, the Crusaders Christian Greggo was able to sneak out of the backfield and take DeFranco’s swing pass to the house for a 33-yard touchdown catch and run. The PAT hit the target and Notre Dame reclaimed the lead 21-14.
Saucon Valley quarterback Dante Mahaffey brought 77 yards and a touchdown pass to the table.
Saucon Valley was able to moved the ball deep into Crusader territory, but they were unable to convert a 4th & 22 after a penalty and sack ended the half with the score 21-14 in favor of the hosts.
The Panthers regrouped at halftime and, to start the 3rd quarter, manufactured a nine-play drive that ended with an Ian Csicsek 9-yard touchdown run around the right end. Notre Dame jumped offside on the PAT and the Panthers opted to go for a two-point conversion from a little over a yard away from the goal line. The attempt however, was stuffed by the Crusader defense. With the game clock reading 6:50, Saucon trailed 21-20.
The red-hot Notre Dame offense needed very little time to ease into the 2nd half. In only three plays, DeFranco would connect on a 35-yard pass for another Crusader score. Notre Dame’s PAT was good and at the 6:02 mark in the 3rd quarter they led 28-20.
The Hogs love their Bully Ball ways.
The Panthers continued with their “Bully-Ball” ways and marched right back into the end zone in only five plays. On 2nd & 3 from the Crusader 12-yardline Ian Csicsek ran left and bounced outside around the end making the score 28-26. Once again opting to go for the two-point PAT, Saucon line up in a full-house backfield and tossed the ball to Csicsek around the end. With 3:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter the game was tied up 28-28.
The Notre Dame offense went right back to work and added another touchdown in only two minutes of play. DeFranco, once again, hit Isaiah DeJesus. This time it was a 13-yard strike on a quick slant across the middle. The Crusaders added the extra-point to reclaim the lead 35-28.
The Panther offense responded and showcased a little quick-strike prowess of their own. In only five plays, Saucon Valley found the end zone. Ian Csicsek followed the Hogs on a counter play into the end zone for a 23-yard score. Saucon, once again, opted for a two-point try and hit it. This time, Panther quarterback Dante Mahaffey faked a power run to the left and bootlegged right looking for tight end Patrick Morrissey in the front of the end zone. Morrissey was well-covered, but the backside tight end, Dale Sorensen, was available as he tight roped the back of the end zone toward Mahaffey. Mahaffey delivered and Sorensen made the diving catch for the points. With 11:25 left to play, it was the Panthers taking a 36-35 lead.
Dante Mahaffey hooked up with Dale Sorensen to take a 36-35 lead.
Notre Dame did not trail for long. It only took three plays and :45 seconds for the Crusaders to score. This time, set up by a 50-yard completion on 1st down from DeFranco to David Sanders, DeFranco took a shotgun snap on 1st & goal from the 3- yardline and powered his way up the middle for the score. In an attempt to reestablish a 7-point margin, the Crusaders went for the two-point conversion and were rewarded when DeFranco hit Sanders on a quick out-route for the points. Notre Dame led 43-36.
With 10:40 remaining in the game, the Saucon Valley offense began their next possession at their own 12-yardline. Down but not out, the Panthers marched the length of the field courtesy of a 15-play drive. All but two of the plays were called for Ian Csicsek who had 13 touches for 73 yards on the drive. Christian “Mongo” Alling carried the other two for 12 yards. Csicsek finally scored on a screen pass from the 15-yardline when Mahaffey rolled to his right and threw back to Csicsek who followed his blockers into the end zone. Csicsek’s score closed the Crusader deficit to 43-42. It was PAT decision time for the Panthers.
Ian Csicsek caught a Dante Mahaffey screen pass for a late Panther touchdown.
Saucon chose to go for the two-point PAT and the win. The Panthers showed a power-I formation with two tight ends, but ran a little counter play back to the weak side with Jared Harka and Tim Weaver pulling to lead the way. Csicsek, once again, followed his blockers into the end zone for the points. With 2:15 left in the game, the Panthers led 44-43.
Notre Dame however, had other ideas. The Crusaders were able to put together a 13-play drive that overcame a 4th & 21 from their own 41-yardline. DeFranco hit on a pass to David Sanders for 34 yards. With :40 seconds left to play, Sanders’ first down and kept the Crusaders hopes alive.
A couple plays later, Notre Dame also overcame what looked like an interception by Saucon Vally defensive end Evan Deily. Deily tipped a DeFranco pass high into the air and dove underneath it for what seemed to be a joyous end to the game for Panther Nation. However, the referee ruled that the ball hit the ground giving Notre Dame new life. Two plays later with :29 seconds remaining, DeFranco found Sanders in the back of the end zone for the final score of the game. Notre Dame won their first-ever Colonial League title by defeating Saucon Valley in a classic by a score of 49-44.
It wasn’t for lack of effort, but the Panthers came up short.
Panther Flash Stats!…..
- Ian Csicsek carried 48 times for 341 yards and 4 TD’s. He has 1,996 for the season (3rd all-time for SV).
- Csicsek had 2 catches for for 34 yards and an additional touchdown.
- Dante Mahaffey completed 4 of 6 passes for 72 yards and a TD.
- The Panthers had 31 first downs and 471 yards of total offense.
- Notre Dame’s Cole DeFranco was 22 0f 30 for 386 yards and 6 TD’s. DeFranco also rushed 11 times for 91 yards and a TD.
It was a horrible, wonderful game for the Panthers.
Up Next: Friday night Saucon Valley (7-2) will host the Palisades Pirates (7-2). It will be another great challenge for the Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
Note: Photos by Chris Christian. Click here to purchase these and other photos from Friday night’s game.
