Masuk Free Press

Following a season where the Masuk Panthers won the State Championship, the only acceptable result this year would be to repeat. Well, their title defense started off on the right track as the Masuk Panthers were able to take care of business at Holy Cross Friday night, 9.12 with a final score of 32-21.  

New management has arrived in Monroe, as previous head coach Steve Christy retired following the championship. Christy passed the torch on to Chris Pace, who if you would like to hear more about, check him out here. Anyways, Pace has gotten into a groove over the off season and preparation leading up to the game. 

“I think it was a lot easier because the [players] have been committed, dedicated, and working hard, which obviously makes our job a lot easier,” Pace said, “So we’re just excited to get it going, see what we got and get the season off to hopefully a good start.”

Also, Pace and his players shared their preparation and how to approach Holy Cross. 

“…we’re going to alter the strengths of our guys,” Pace continued, “…break them down, share our game plan with our guys, so they have confidence in understanding why we’re doing things.”

As the game started, the first play of Pace’s career was an electrifying one. In a daring move, senior kicker Brayden Callahan squibbed the ball up the middle of the field. Holy Cross was stunned, and senior wide receiver Ricardo Teixara recovered the ball. Immediately following that, junior quarterback Aaron Champagne found Teixara again down the middle, as he was coralled at the one yard line. With a first and goal opportunity, senior wide receiver Jake Vigilone barreled his way into the endzone. Vigilone also converted a two point conversion, as the Panthers quickly got on the board, 8-0. Holy Cross finally got an offense, as Masuk kicked the ball off normally. Holy Cross junior quarterback Brady Lombardo led his team down the field, using both of his arms and legs to eventually toss a short pass for a touchdown. Holy Cross kept the theatrics to a minimum, as they decided to kick for the extra point instead of attempting the two point conversion to match Masuk. Masuk then had a quick drive which resulted in a three and out, forcing senior Steven Curtin to punt the ball back to Holy Cross. Holy Cross now had the ball, trailing by two. However, they fumbled the ball and Luke Constantini recovered it for Masuk, swinging the momentum back into Masuk’s favor. Masuk had a couple of short rushes with the ball back, until Champagne found sophomore running back Michael Charland for a large fourth down conversion. Constantini then found himself scoring a rushing touchdown after being set up at the goal line following a sequence of rushes by Charland and co. The Panthers now had a 15-7 lead following Callahan’s successful PAT. Holy Cross’s next drive was a pivotal moment for the game. They needed a score, but threw an interception instead. The interceptor was freshman Jace McGee. With the extra drive, Masuk had the chance to make it a two possession game. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they went three and out and had to punt. Holy Cross capitalized on their next possession, scoring a touchdown and knocking down the extra point to make the game 15-14. Masuk then trudged down the field behind Champagne accurately setting up receivers junior Nico Convertito and sophomore Nate O’Hara as well as Charland’s powerful runs. This allowed for Vigilone to power through Holy Cross’s defense and score his second touchdown of the game, as Callahan bolted another extra point through the uprights making the score 22-14. To end the first half, Holy Cross got the ball back but a key sack by Aiden Diaz halted any potential Holy Cross progressions.

The second half proved to be very successful for the Panthers, as within their first possession Charland had a huge rush to put the Panthers in the red zone. Champagne was able to rush close to the end zone, but Convertito finished it off and the Panthers went up 29-14 following another extra point by Callahan. Holy Cross now desperately needed a score, and they were slowly wearing down the Masuk defense with short throws and runs that progressed up the field. Lombardo was then sacked by both senior Riley Kyle and junior Daniel Balestriere.  Holy Cross was able to get back on to their feet and score off of a contested catch in the back corner of the endzone, making the score 29-21 with a successful extra point. Charland then had another massive run that brought the Panthers to Holy Cross’s 18 yard line. Masuk had to settle for a field goal after getting sacked. The score was now 32-21 thanks to another kick by Callahan. Holy Cross, down by two possessions, was in a tough situation. After sacks by senior David Skripek and Constantini, Holy Cross punted. After a Masuk fumble, Holy Cross recovered and had a sliver of hope entering the 4th quarter. On 4th down, Constantini made a game saving stop, forcing a turnover on downs. After first down rushes by Charland and Champagne, Champagne kneeled the clock out, securing the Panthers win.

“…these kids wanted to show that we’re back,” said assistant coach JJ McGee. 

The Panthers did what they had to do, which was win on Friday night. Next week, they look to show out in front of the home crowd against Bunnell on Friday, 9.19.