Masuk Free Press

Coming off of a win versus Holy Cross, the Masuk Panthers sought a 2-0 start. However, the Bunnell Bulldogs had other plans, seeking revenge on the Panthers for last year’s playoff loss. Now almost a year later, the Bulldogs had their chance to spoil the Panther’s home opener. 

The Masuk players were excited for their first home game.

“[The home crowd] definitely hypes us up a lot,” said senior captain Liam Whalen, “[It helps] us out on defense by distracting their offense.”

The football team counts on their student section, the Red Army, to harass the other team and make it uncomfortable to play at Benedict Field.

“It’s just a completely different world of stuff,” said senior captain Brayden Callahan.

New head coach Chris Pace, who obtained his first win against Holy Cross, was all about keeping the Panthers on the prowl.

“…the fact that they played each other twice last year [and] split them,” said Pace, “it [will] be an intense, pretty emotional game for us…we’re hoping to give everybody a good show and play Masuk football.”

As the game began, Bunnell came out swinging, putting together strong runs and passes for intermediate gains. Masuk’s defense was under pressure all night. The first quarter saw no scoring, due to Panther’s and Bulldogs flying to ball carriers.

Bunnell’s Rickie Miller opened the second quarter with a 36 yard touch down run. Masuk couldn’t answer, and Bunnell was able to contain Masuk’s high powered offense, getting the ball and scoring another touch down, this time 39 yard pass from Jake Garrigan to division one prospect Rody Ricketts putting the Bulldogs up 14-0. The Panthers finally responded, as junior quarterback Aaron Champagne led them down the field setting up senior wide receiver Ricardo Teixeira for a one yard rushing touchdown. Masuk stumbled again, as Callahan’s attempted extra point was blocked, keeping the Panthers down by 8. On the next drive, Garrigan then chucked a 40 yard bomb for another touchdown into the arms of Jacob Mosely.

The first half ended there with a Bunnell ahead 21-6. After the halftime, the Panther’s changed their formation hoping to attack Bunnell with the run. It came to fruition as Masuk drove down the field with powerful runs from Michael Charland and Champagne. Masuk went back to the air, as Champagne then threw a go-ball to senior wide receiver Steven Curtin, who caught it at the four yard line. Curtin followed that catch with a spectacular grab in the end zone on the next play. Teixara rumbled his way in for the two point conversion. Masuk added to their momentum by forcing a fumble, recovering at Bunnell’s 18 yard line. Champagne tried twice to air it out to Curtin, but both times Curtin was ruled out of bounds despite making the catch. After those attempts to Curtin, Champagne went to Teixara through the air but couldn’t connect, resulting in a turnover on downs. Masuk was given one last chance with the ball at the end of the fourth quarter after a key third down pass deflection by freshman Jace McGee forced a Bunnell punt. Masuk couldn’t convert, and the game ended with a final score of 21-14.

Masuk now falls to 1-1, while Bunnell stays undefeated. The Panthers will be looking to get back on track home against Darien, at 7:00 pm on 9.26.