Masuk Free Press

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On Friday 11.7, the Masuk Panthers hoped to extend their win streak to three. However, the Joel Barlow Falcons ran the ball hard, and defeated the Panthers 36-35 in Masuk’s closest battle all season.

Masuk spent the week preparing for Joel Barlow’s explosive run game. Senior captain Liam Whalen was confident that they had prepared well. 

“…it’s just muscle memory, and knowing what we have to do and just going out there and executing.”

The Masuk State Championship team from 2024 was honored as well during a pre-game ceremony. Past players and coaches received their well deserved praise for their victory.

After a first possession fumble by Joel Barlow, the 2025 Panthers showed similarities to last year’s champions to begin the game, as senior wide receiver Steve Curtin caught a screen pass from sophomore quarterback Cole Henderson and took it 53 yards for the first score of the game. Joel Barlow’s second possession resembled the first as they fumbled again, giving possession back to the Masuk offense. The Panthers then took a 13-0 lead when senior captain Brayden Callahan bounced the ball outside to get to the endzone after a 59 yard run. Joel Barlow wouldn’t fumble anymore in the game.  The Falcons took their next possession and answered Masuk’s score with a four yard running touchdown, making the score 13-6. The Falcons took advantage of some key players not being on the field for the Masuk Panthers and scored via a 31 yard passing touchdown.  The first half ended 13-12.

The only scoring for either team in the third quarter came from another Joel Barlow rushing TD, this one from eight yards out, giving them a 18-13 lead after a missed two point conversion attempt..

In the fourth quarter Joel Barlow scored yet another rushing touchdown from three yards out, taking a commanding 24-13 lead with only 10 minutes remaining in the game. Masuk tried to respond as Henderson strung together some good completions on a scoring drive as he delivered his second passing touchdown of the night, an 18 yard strike to senior wide receiver Ricardo Teixara. This brought Masuk within four points of the Falcons.

Unfortunately for the Masuk Panthers, they were unable to withstand the Joel Barlow triple option attack.  The Falcons took the next drive and scored  their fifth touchdown of the night, this time a 27 yard pass, making the score 30-20.

Masuk drove down the field, and sophomore running back Michael Charland answered Joel Barlow with a one yard rushing score of his own, bringing Masuk within three. After senior Mateo Periara’s successful onside kick recovery for the Panthers, Henderson threw a pass down the left sideline to sophomore wide receiver Nate O’Hara for 33 yards and another Panther touchdown.

The weather cooperated with the Panthers on the ensuing kickoff, as the ball squibbed through the legs of a Joel Barlow returner, who chased it into the endzone and recovered it, resulting in a safety as a host of Masuk players piled on.  The Masuk sideline erupted as they took a five point lead, their largest of the game with less than 90 seconds to go.

Joel Barlow responded with an onside kick, which  they recovered in their own territory. Joel Barlow continued to rely on their powerful run game, eventually breaking through and scoring, giving them the lead that they would keep for the last 20 seconds of the contest.. With 14 seconds remaining, Masuk received the kickoff and junior Luke Constantini brought it out to the 40 yard line, giving Masuk enough room to take a shot at the endzone.  With seconds to go, Cole Henderson was sacked as a result of the strong Falcon prevent coverage, ending the game and likely Masuk’s chances at the post season.

The Panthers are now 4-4, and will have their home finale this week as they take on Pomperaug at 7:00 on Benedict Field.