Masuk Free Press

Coming off a loss against the Bunnell Bulldogs, the Masuk Panthers were eager to get back on track. 

“…this week was just kind of come back out and compete and play Masuk Football,” said Masuk head coach Chris Pace, “…put that behind us and start focusing on this one.”

The Panthers played the Darien Blue Wave on Friday, 9.26 at Benedict Field in a tight, 28-21 contest which saw the Blue Wave prevail.  

“We want to build some confidence early,” continued Pace, “[and] get these guys confident in themselves and [see] what they can do out there and kind of build off that.”

Well, the Panthers definitely got their confidence sky high in the start as the first quarter saw all but one touchdown, coming from neither offense. It was Masuk senior Jake Viglione intercepting Darien quarterback Jay Franzese and running it all the way back for a pick six, putting the Panthers up 7-0 after David Skripek knocked down his first of three total extra points. The Panthers nor Darien could produce any more points in the first quarter. 

The second quarter commenced and the Blue Wave was finally able to crash, as they scored off a Franzese to wide receiver Chase Lane passing touchdown, evening the score. Masuk and Dairen went back and forth with no scoring on either side of the ball for the duration of the quarter. Both defenses were able to force key deflections and three and outs. The second quarter ended all tied up at 7.

Following halftime, Franzese completed another passing touchdown to up the ante as the Blue Wave drove down the field. Masuk then responded in an electrifying next play, as junior quarterback Aaron Champagne threw a short pass to senior wide receiver Ricardo Teixeira, who then ran it all the way back for a 78 yard touchdown, tying the game at 14. This game was a tight, defensive battle in which Masuk seniors Brayden Callahan and Mateo Pereira were wrapping up the Blue Wave’s playmakers for key tackles. Up front in the trenches, seniors Aiden Diaz and Nathan Archer caused massive disruption in the backfield making significant tackles that halted Blue Wave progression. 

Now, heading into the fourth quarter, Benedict field was getting rowdy, overjoyed to see their cherished Panthers make huge plays. The only problem was that those big plays were really all that the Panthers had to show for themselves. Darien was literally making waves down the field through Franzese’s accurate throwing display. It was continued as Franzese made an eight yard passing touchdown to go up 21-14, followed by a huge 68 yard bomb to go up 28-14 after Masuk was unable to score in between. Champagne then led the Panthers down field in a must score drive, and delivered an 18 yard passing touchdown to junior wide receiver Nico Convertito, who made multiple Blue Wave defenders miss en route to the endzone. However, Darien effectively ran down the clock after converting prominent first downs by prioritizing running down field in the last minutes of the game. The Panthers fell short of the Blue Wave, 28-21.

Masuk now falls to 1-2, and have still yet to win a game at home. They will have another chance next Friday on 10.3 against New Milford before going on a three game road trip.