Masuk Free Press

After an impressive week one performance against Stratford, winning 42-7, the Masuk Panthers had yet another offensive explosion, beating the North Haven Nighthawks 28-14, at one point leading 28-0. The Panthers’ superstars on both sides of the ball made plays, and they earned a dominant win on Benedict Field in the debut of Masuk’s new videoboard. The game played on 9/17 pushed the Panthers to 2-0, as they remained undefeated. 

After some punts between the two teams to start off the game, Masuk had a well-sustained drive. Using senior captains Aaron Champagne and Tanner Walker in the rushing game, Walker took an outside handoff for 15 yards and into the end zone. Champagne snuck his way in for the two-point conversion, and the Panthers were up 8-0 in the first quarter. 

“Our offense is very good, and as we showed today, it’s unstoppable,” said Champagne.

North Haven had a run-heavy scheme, as they only passed the ball a handful of times throughout the entire game. North Haven rammed their way down the field, but an attempted field goal was blocked by the Panthers’ special teams unit. The Panthers started deep in their own territory following the impressive special teams play, and Masuk’s head coach Chris Pace drew up a trick play. Walker was to receive an outside handoff from Champagne and throw a go-ball to streaking senior wide receiver Al Morgenthalar. Morgenthalar toe-tapped near the sideline and caught the ball. The Panthers were now set up in Nighthawk territory and shortly found themselves in a goal-to-go scenario after Walker took a pass from Champagne and wasn’t taken down before reaching the four-yard line. Walker then scored another rushing touchdown on a similar outside running concept. Sophomore kicker Kenny Hoyos knocked down the PAT and put Masuk up 15-0. Senior captain linebacker Luke Costantini racked up three tackles in a row, forcing North Haven’s next drive to end quickly, resulting in a Nighthawk punt back to the Panthers. Costantini and fellow senior defensive players including captain Daniel Balestriere, Deaven Jean Baptiste, and Graham Gabriel recorded multiple tackles, some of them even forcing a loss of yardage for North Haven. 

“I have confidence in my defense, [and I] know what we’re capable of,” said Costantini. “We have really great chemistry, and we just shut it down.”

Senior running back Nico Convertito was the bellcow for the Panthers tonight, gaining some tough yards throughout the game that helped Champagne rush for another touchdown. After another good PAT by Hoyos, Masuk led 22-0. 

“You always gotta go north to south,” said Convertito. “You gotta keep the ball moving, and just gotta protect it, and stay well at all times.”

There were no further scores for the rest of the first half. Masuk’s defense stopped the Nighthawks again, and when Masuk got the ball back, it was Convertito and Champagne running downfield. Morgenthalar then caught a short pass in the back of the end zone from Champagne, who made the throw on the run. Hoyos’ perfect PAT run ended, as he just missed to the right side. The Panthers were up 28-0. North Haven found some success after turning over the Panthers and scoring twice. The Nighthawks were able to get the best of Masuk’s defense, as their heavy run formation broke through and North Haven made their way into the end zone. North Haven capitalized on an interception to get the ball back in the fourth quarter. Junior backup quarterback Cole Henderson just underthrew the deep pass, and North Haven was able to win the 50/50 ball. The Nighthawks ran the ball some more and broke free for a 23-yard rushing touchdown. After cutting the lead down to 14, the Nighthawks couldn’t capitalize for the rest of the game. Convertito and Champagne kept on using their legs to chew down the clock, and after a final Masuk defensive stop, the Panthers won with a final score of 28-14. 

“[It’s] 11 guys doing their job on every play,” said Masuk head coach Chris Pace. “I’m super proud of these guys. They executed, and they just balled out tonight.” 

The Panthers travel away next week to play Joel Barlow on 9/25. It’s a revenge game for Masuk, and they look to keep moving and stay undefeated.