Panthers Rumble in semi-finals
J. C. Tilton
Both TVS Wee Panther teams have advanced to the playoff semifinals in the CCCYL, but only one advanced to the super bowl. Both teams played against Bradford. The Bradford JV's were undefeated coming into the game, so TVS had a tough opponent. Early in the first quarter TVS had a key defensive stop by Caleb Walker, who stopped the Bradford QB for no gain on a 4thand 1 quarterback sneak. South worked the ball into Bradford territory from midfield and Dillon Ashley scored the first points of day to put TVS up 6-0.
Bradford showed why they on top the league by putting together a pair of drives to score and go up 13-6. Another drive was stopped by Austin Cole who recovered a fumble. Later, Michael Burke was able to dash 45 yards to put TVS within 1 of Bradford 12-13. Again Bradford was able to punch holes in the TVS defense and managed another score just before halftime. The third quarter was all Bradford. They got their motor running on the first play from scrimmage, scoring a 65 yard TD. Before South could recover, they had scored 2 more times to go up a formidable 28 points 40-12. It was now the 4th quarter but TVS was not done. Michael Burke found the endzone again on an 85 yard TD run. Dillon Ashley completed a pass to Jordan Burns for the 2 point conversion. Then Dillon Ashley ran a quarterback keeper about 30 yards to put TVS within 14 points. But time ran out for South before they could find the endzone again. Bradford advanced to the championship, winning 40-26. The TVS JV's end their season with a respectable 4-3 record.
Now it was time for TVS Wee Panther Varsity, who needed a win to advance to the championship. The varsity was undefeated in league play, but in the first game of season needed a last second TD to beat Bradford 6-0. TVS won the coin toss but deferred to the second half. The TVS defense gave up some yardage on the opening drive as Bradford advanced into South territory. But TVS finally ended the early threat with a Brandon Fox fumble recovery. Later TVS was able to draw first blood on a Clint Spitler 65 yard TD yard. Then on another drive TVS moved the ball to the 6 yard line and again Spitler lugged the ball across the goal line. South now had a 12-0 lead.
Bradford was desperate to move the ball against a stout South defense. But when Bradford decided to switch to the pass, Brandon Fox greeted the quarterback in the backfield for a 7 yard loss. Bradford was determined to pass and the next time they tried they got the ball away. But this time, the pass was picked off by Clint Spitler who took it to the house. This 60 yard interception put TVS up 18-0. Their next possession, South moved to the Railroader 24 yard line where Nick Youngerman snagged a pass and galloped untouched into the endzone. This time the extra point was good as Miles McCollum connected with Clint Spitler to put South up 26-0 at halftime.
After the break, the two teams battled back and forth, neither team able to break a big play for a touchdown. But finally Bradford was able to score in the 3rd quarter and again in the 4th quarter. Now it was a 26-14 game. It was getting close so South sent Spitler out for a pass and Miles McCollum found him for a 65 yard TD. That would be the final score of the game as South advances to the super bowl with a 32-14 victory. 7-0 South will clash with a 6-1 National Trail team.
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