Masuk Free Press

On Friday, Sept. 29, the Masuk Panthers varsity football team took on the Bunnell Bulldogs at home. Due to inclement weather, there was potential for a delayed game. However, early on Friday, it was announced that they would play regardless of the conditions.

Coming into the game, senior defensive end Tristan Smith said, “We have the same mentality going into every game, the defense needs to stick together and we can get things done.” With Masuk hoping to jump to a 3-1 record, they took the field at 7:00 p.m. amidst a relentless downpour of rain.

Evidently, both teams were having a hard time finding their footing early into the match. It wasn’t until late in the first quarter that Bunnell would capitalize on the numerous Masuk penalties and drive deep into Masuk territory. This drive would end in a rushing touchdown and a failed two-point conversion, giving Bunnell a lead of six.

Through the rest of the half, both teams were having trouble moving the chains. Various fumbles, muffed punts, and dropped snaps led to an overall defensive bout until the end of the second quarter. 

Upon the first whistle of the third quarter, Masuk seemed completely revitalized. In the middle of the third quarter, Bunnell lined up to take the snap deep in their own territory. Likely due to the wet conditions, the snap was dropped and fumbled, it tumbled and bounced into Masuk’s own end zone where it was recovered for a game changing Panther touchdown.

At this point in the game, the Masuk defense had started humming. The Masuk defense forced a turnover on downs and recovered a fumble to give the offense great field position twice. This led to a field goal by sophomore Jackson Zylick which further increased the Masuk lead.

Coming into the fourth quarter, the score stood tight at Masuk ten, Bunnell six. The beginning of the end for the Bulldogs was marked by a quick interception returned for a touchdown by junior safety Luke Longo. 

Having the lead and the momentum, the Panthers were dominant for the rest of the night. With around five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Masuk punched another touchdown into the endzone with a rush from junior running back Gavin Walker. 

The end of the game came out to a Masuk win over Bunnell, 24-6. After the victory, sophomore kicker Jackson Zylick said, “We were feeling great, we believed in everybody. We just kept getting better through the whole game and the win feels great.” 

Next week the Panthers will face Joel Barlow in an away game. With a 3-1 record thus far, the Masuk Panthers have more time to sort out their quarterback room and bolster their record to four wins this coming game.