The Panthers were able to run past the Pirates.
After last week’s last second, heart-breaking loss to Notre Dame, the Saucon Valley Panthers found themselves in a bit of a tailspin after losing back to back games. Coming into this Colonial league finale against the powerful Palisades Pirates (7-3), it didn’t seem as if things would get any easier for the Panthers. With the “Bicentennial Trophy” and bragging rights in this rivalry game on the line, the Panthers had more than enough work cut out for them as the Pirates have a stout defense and were averaging 45 points per game.
The Panthers started with the football at their own 25-yardline and ran their way down the field highlighted by Christian “Mongo” Alling’s 28-yard run and a typical workhorse effort by Ian “Sizzler” Csicsek. Csiscek carried five times on the scoring drive and finished with a 13-yard touchdown on a well-executed counter play. Sean Cyphers connected for his PAT to make the score 7-0 with 9:08 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Ian Csicsek had another big night for the Panthers.
The Pirates came right back at the Panthers, but their drive stalled when the Saucon defense stiffened preventing Palisades from converting a 4th & 8 at the Saucon Valley 32-yardline.
The Panthers roared right back down the field looking for more points. On 3rd & 9 from the Pirates 32-yardline, Dante Mahaffey hooked up with Ryan Holub for a 23-yard pass completion to set Saucon up nicely at the Palisades 9-yardline. On the very next play, Csicsek carried behind the right side of the Panthers offensive line for the score. Cyphers did his thing and the Panthers took a 14-0 lead with :50 left in the opening quarter.
The following Panther kickoff was fielded by Palisades’ Adam Marsh who steamrolled his way across midfield all the way down to the Panther 36-yardline. On the very next play Trey Gretzinger took Ethan Brader’s handoff and popped through a seam in the middle of the Panther defense. The Pirates converted the extra-point and with :33 seconds left in the 1st quarter the Panthers held a 14-7 lead.
Justin Kyra helped the Panthers set up a score with a timely return.
Any momentum claimed by the Pirates shifted right back to the Panthers on Justin Kyra’s kickoff return. Kyra fielded the high kick at his own 13-yardline and took a beeline toward the Palisades’ end zone. Kyra did get caught, but not until after he reached the Pirate 5-yardline. Two plays later and with the help of Sean Cyphers’ PAT, Saucon Valley extended an early 2nd quarter lead to 21-7.
Palisades manufactured a little offense and answered immediately with a scoring sequence that started from their own 35-yardline. The Pirates completed the 7-play drive with a 28-yard, play-action pass to tight end, R.J. Smith. The PAT was good and with 8:10 to go in the first half Saucon led 21-14.
On the Panthers next possession they were forced to go three-&-out and punted the ball back to the Pirates. Palisades, sniffing the scent of opportunity, took possession at their own 23-yardline and began to march toward the Panther end zone. The Pirates pieced together an 18-play drive that milked the remaining time off the 2nd quarter clock. However, they came up empty as the Panther defense refused to let them into the end zone. It was a monumental goal-line stand that prevented the Pirates from tying up the score and possibly taking the lead with their option to take the ball to start the 2nd half. Nonetheless, at the break, Saucon Valley led Palisades 21-14.
The Panther defense stepped up big time just before halftime against the Palisades Pirates.
The third quarter began with a huge kickoff return by Palisades out to midfield. Nine plays later Ethan Brader ran quarterback sweep around the left end and into the end zone for the Pirate score. With 8:15 to play in the 3rd quarter the game was even at 21-21.
After trading punts, Csicsek and the Panthers exploded for a 47-yard touchdown run on another well-executed counter play. Csicsek took advantage of of a kickout block by Jared Harka and followed a lead block by Tim “Boss Hog” Weaver and raced his way into the end zone. The PAT was good and with 2:26 left in the third quarter, Saucon Valley reclaimed the lead with a 28-21 score.
The Panthers punched another TD into the end zone.
Without star running back Trey Gretzinger who left the game with a recurring ankle injury, Palisades fought back and crafted a 13-play drive that covered 80 yards. On 3rd & 3 from the Panther 15-yardline, Brader lined up in shotgun formation for the Pirates and followed a lead block off right tackle all the way into the end zone. The kick was good and with 8:08 remaining in the game it was all tied up 28-28.
Dante Mahaffey looks over the Pirate defense before another Panther score.
With the game on the line, Saucon Valley went to work starting from their own 27-yardline. On seven of the next eight running plays Ian Csicsek helped move the sticks for the Panthers. It was during a methodical drive crafted by Saucon all the way down to the Pirate 1-yardline. On the ninth play, the Hogs plowed while Dante Mahaffey sneaked the ball into the end zone for the touchdown. Cyphers’ extra-point was good and with 3:25 left to go, Saucon had a 35-28 advantage.
Palisades tried to mount a game-winning drive starting at their own 35-yardline, but the Panther defense was smelling victory and forced an immediate turnover on downs. With the clock ticking toward zero Csicsek was able to pop the Pirate defense for the final score of the night. Once again, “Sizzler” found the end zone on a counter play that was beautifully executed by the Hogs. Csicsek’s touchdown sealed the 42-28 win for the Panthers.
Panther seniors were everywhere on Senior Night 2018.
Panther Flash Stats!…..
- Ian Csicsek carried 25 times for 258 yards and 4 TD’s. He has 2,254 for the season (2nd All-Time for SV).
- The Panthers had 15 first downs and 324 yards of total offense.
- Saucon Valley converted 5 of 8 times on 3rd down.
- Palisades Ethan Brader and Trey Gretzinger each rushed for over 100 yards.
The Panthers imporved to 8-2 with their win over the PIrates,
Up Next: SATURDAY night Saucon Valley (8-2) will host the Lehighton Indians (4-6) in the District XI championship quarterfinals. 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.
