Masuk Free Press

On Nov. 28, the Masuk Panthers football team played the number seven seed, the Cheshire Rams, in the first round of the state playoffs. After a statement win over the Newtown Nighthawks the previous week, the Panthers were looking to keep it rolling. Senior right tackle Matt Gasparini said, “The game plan is to stop the run because they can’t pass well. I think home field advantage will help us out as we usually play better at home, and we are just as good as them if not better.” With Masuk looking for another win, they prepared to play one of the fiercest opponents of the year in the first round of eliminations.

Led by Notre Dame commit Matt Jeffery and a dynamic running back, many expected Cheshire to dominate the matchup. With a full student section at their support, the game started off well for Cheshire, utilizing their best athlete Matt Jeffery to draw first blood and score a touchdown after a failed lateral attempt by Masuk. 

The rest of the quarter was a defensive battle as Masuk struggled to break the line of scrimmage, and senior running back Jason Champagne was swarmed in the backfield for most of the first. It was senior wideout Colin Hope who got things going offensively, with a 20 yard reception to the sideline before lowering his shoulder for extra yardage.

However, Cheshire’s defense kept them scoreless until the very end of the quarter. On the other side of the ball, the Masuk defense played well and held the Cheshire rams scoreless throughout the rest of the first quarter. It was cornerback Jayden Cassese who made the crucial pass breakup to force a Cheshire punt with two minutes left. On the return, Jason Champagne fielded the kick and ran it all the way to the opposite end zone on a punt return house call, closing the quarter out at 7-7.

To start the second, Masuk Offensive line found their rhythm, and the first play of the drive was a 32 yard rushing touchdown by Champagne to take the lead. With another massive defensive play, Cassese would intercept the ball on Cheshire’s next drive and run it back to the twenty yard line.

“We were better, they came in thinking they were something,” said Cassese, “We just stopped them all night. They shouldn’t have been doubting us from the start.”

Although Masuk could not capitalize on this trip to the red zone, they would get another chance soon after as a sack by Luke Benway would lead to another Cheshire punt. By running the rock and feeding Jason Champagne, they were able to drive to the eight yard line, where Colin Hope would punch it in for another Masuk touchdown. With 2:30 left in the half, the Panthers would continue to overwhelm the Rams, sacking the quarterback three times and keeping the score at 28-7 by the end of the first half.

By the second half kickoff, Masuk had secured a comfortable three touchdown lead. Gaining possession first, Masuk effortlessly drove up field with first down plays from Hope, Shane Walker, and Max Viglione driving up the field. On the four yard line, Hope would break the plane yet again for another Masuk touchdown, increasing the lead by seven.

The Panthers defense was the story of the night, and they prevented another Cheshire drive with a pair of sacks by junior linebackers Ryan Putnam and Luke Longo, giving the ball back to Masuk on the Ram’s forty yard line.

“Defensively, we were physical up front and linebackers filled, containing them to the inside,” says Hope, “It felt amazing to finally break through, we haven’t done this since 2017.”

After a run by Hope placed Masuk in the red zone, quarterback Robert Klein delivered a twenty yard touchdown pass to Max Viglione.

Upon setting the lead 42-7, Masuk gave up two scores late in the fourth quarter on a pick six and a fumble. Cheshire was able to score on both drives but it did little to change the ultimate outcome of the game, Masuk winning 42-21 and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Next up on Masuk’s schedule is Wilton, also coming off of a hot win which should make for a great matchup.

“We got a good team coming in, with a good defense,” says Hope “We’re just going to stick to what we’re good at and good things will happen.”

Be sure to come support the Panthers this Sunday in the semifinal match of the state playoffs.