by Steve Bradley
The Hoosick Falls Central School Panthers hosted the Watervliet Cannoneers last Friday, October 25. The Cannoneers came in as the fourth seeded team in Class C Section 2. Hoosick Falls is top seed and number one in Class C in New York State. Coming into the game, the Panthers were 47 – 0 over the past five years against Section 2 opponents. After the game, the Panthers were 48 – 0.
Homecoming Festivities
The football game Homecoming festivities that were scheduled for earlier in the season were held prior to the game. The Hoosick Falls Fire Department had two trucks on hand and highlighted the six players and one cheerleader who are involved in Town of Hoosick emergency services. The Fire Department also set up a smoke tent, and the players made a grand entrance out of the tent and onto the playing field as a team. Seniors were introduced along with their parents, and flowers were presented to mothers. Having all the field marking painted in breast cancer awareness pink, complete with pink ribbons in the endzones, was a nice touch.
The Game
The Panthers kicked off to the Cannoneers to start the game. Watervliet moved the ball from their 40 to the Panther 36, where they turned the ball over on downs. The Panthers took nine plays to move from there to the end zone. Big plays in the drive were a 23 yard pass completion from quarterback Garrett Wright to wide out Levi Brewster and a 16 yard rushing keeper by Wright for the touchdown. With the missed PAT, the quarter ended at HF 6, W 0.
The Panthers scored twice in the second quarter. Wright connected with Brewster for a 24 yard pass reception resulting in a touchdown. On the next Panther possession Wright was injured on a quarterback sneak while trying to get a short yardage first down at the Watervliet 11 yard line. Troy Costantino replaced Wright and, three plays later, ran a keeper to the right side and dove into the endzone for a Panther score. Wright did not return to the game. That was the end of first half scoring, and the Panthers went into the locker room with a 20 – 0 lead.
The Panthers came out roaring after the half. With Wright out, the Panthers relied primarily on their bruising ground game to pound out the yards, and the scores. Brandon Hodges had 111 total rushing yards and one third quarter TD. Senior Mike Matatt had a monster game, piling up 132 total yards on the ground and adding a third quarter TD. With the two TDs in the quarter, the Panthers’ lead increased to 34 to 0. Colby Davendonis, with 40 total rushing yards and one fourth quarter TD, kept the ball moving. Brewster and Thomas Peabody led the receivers with Brewster hauling in 4 for 59 yards and Peabody grabbing two for 32 yards. The Panthers outgained the Cannoneers on the night 483 yards to 147.
The Cannoneers scored in the fourth quarter after they fumbled a HF kickoff at their own 30 yard line and another Watervliet player picked the ball up and ran the ball down to the HF 26 yard line. After a 22 yard pass, the Cannoneers scored on a three yard dive. The six points allowed gave the Panthers a total of 19 points given up on the year. Eight games and a total of nineteen points given up!
Mike Matatt was awarded a much deserved Player of the Game award. Brandon Hodges got the nod for Defensive Player of the Game with Matatt getting the Offensive Player of the Game.
Fonda Braves On Saturday
This week the 8 – 0 Panthers face the 7 – 1 Fonda Braves on Saturday, November 2. The game will be held at Stillwater High School. Game time is 1 pm.
Keeping An Eye On Chatham
The 8 – 0 Chatham Panthers beat (4 – 4) Mechanicville, 52 – 7.
