by Steve Bradley
The Hoosick Falls Central School Panthers traveled down Route 7 to Brunswick last Friday to take on the Tamarac Bengals. It didn’t take long for the Panthers to determine who was the dominant species in this matchup. By the end of the first quarter, with the score at 24-0, the Panthers had the Bengals on the run and just trying to minimize the wounds. Damon Dubois opened the scoring with a 20 yard field goal. The Panthers then scored three TDs, two on the ground and one through the air, before the first quarter ended. The Panthers scored once in the second and once in the third quarter to put the game away. Tamarac never threatened before the Panthers were out of reach. This game was the end of regular season play.
The Panther defense shut down the Bengals in every way. Tamarac had 37 total rushing yards on 19 carries for less than a 2 yard per carry average. Because forward progress was so hard to come by on the ground, the Bengals took to the air, throwing 26 passes, completing 11 for 111 yards. Bryan Sherman got the Max Preps defensive player of the game. Brad Burns also had a notable outing, recording six tackles and giving the Bengals fits all over the field. The offense was running on all cylinders, with Burns putting another 200 yards in the record book. Quarterback Billy Pine chipped in 91 rushing yards. Receiver Josh Brogue hauled in five passes, one for a touchdown, and sophomore Austin Pitt caught three passes for 29 yards.
Due to unplayable field conditions at HFCS, the Panthers (7-0) will play the Voorhesville Blackbirds (2-4) at Stillwater High School, Saturday, October 20, in quarterfinal Section II playoff action. This is a change of day and place from the originally scheduled Friday night at HFCS. Hoosick Falls will be on the home side of the field. Admission will be $3. The game will begin at 7 pm.