In a week that culminated in an abundance of school spirit, Benedict Field was rocking on 10/16 as the Masuk Panthers took on their fierce rivals in the Bunnell Bulldogs. The annual homecoming game brought much excitement, as Masuk was able to run away with the victory in a thrilling 41-20 win.
Masuk started with the ball first, and they did not waste any time. Senior captain quarterback Aaron Champagne delivered a fade ball to streaking sophomore receiver Jace McGee, who caught the ball over a Bunnell defender. It was a huge play, and an uppercut by the Panthers right off the bat.
“I’ve just been practicing all throughout the summer with my dad, my coaches, and all my teammates,” said McGee. “Just getting my timing right with my quarterback, just come down with most of those balls.”
Soon thereafter, Champagne found his way running into the endzone, maneuvering his way between the tackles and scooting his way in for the score. Sophomore kicker Kenny Hoyos bolted the extra point through the uprights, and Masuk was quickly in front 7-0.
Bunnell’s first offensive drive stalled, as on third down they dropped back to pass and senior linebacker Graham Gabriel came running off the edge and sacked the quarterback, forcing Bunnell to punt. Masuk got the ball back in Bulldog territory, and was looking for another score. Champagne tried his luck to McGee with a deep ball to the endzone, and it initially looked like McGee came down with another spectacular catch, but a Bunnell defensive back was able to get in between and intercept Masuk in the endzone. Bunnell could not move the football on the Panther defense, however; senior captain linebacker Luke Costantini forced a tackle for loss, followed by a sack on third down. Bunnell punted once more, and then Masuk followed with another punt. With Bunnell backed up deep in their own territory, Costantini got in the backfield, recovering a forced fumble which set up Masuk at Bunnell’s 10-yard line. Champagne, flushed out of the pocket, made a throw on the run where McGee used his height to his advantage, catching the ball in the endzone over a Bunnell defender. Hoyos’ PAT was good, and Masuk had a 14-0 lead.
“I’ve just been working on my vertical and my concentration on the ball all year, and it definitely comes to play when you have one of the top quarterbacks in Connecticut,” said McGee.
Bunnell’s offense stalled once more, and as they prepared to punt, the snap was too high, and a host of Masuk special teamers chased down the loose football, eventually starting inside Bunnell’s 15 yard line. Masuk’s offense took advantage, and Champagne once more found a hole, and found his way into the endzone, making the score 21-0 to start off the second quarter.
“The secret to finding the hole in the offensive line is just trusting that they’re gonna make those holes for you,” said Champagne.
McGee made an impact on defense, this time intercepting a deep ball attempt by Bunnell, and setting up Masuk once more for success. Champagne was looking deep on the Panthers ensuing drive, but just underthrew his intended target, and Bunnell intercepted the ball right back. Bunnell drove down the field, and the shifty wide receiver Rody Ricketts caught a pass from Jake Garrigan, and took it into the endzone. However, the PAT failed and the score was 21-6 in Masuk’s favor.
With the ball back in Masuk’s hands, Champagne kept on using his legs to get tough yards for the Panthers, but with the first half winding down, Masuk couldn’t get into the endzone.
“If they wanna hold on to you, keep running, drag them down the field,” said Champagne.
Bunnell started with the ball, and they ended up scoring off of Garrigan running in for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, and the score was now 21-12. On the Panther’s next drive, some penalties backed the Panthers up, but Masuk took advantage of a busted coverage where senior running back Nico Convertito was wide open on a wheel route, catching the ball from Champagne and outrunning Bulldogs down the sideline and diving in to the endzone, making the score 28-12 after the good PAT by Hoyos. Bunnell had to punt again after defensive pressures from the Masuk defensive line, and tackles for loss by junior Owen Batch, senior Deavan Jean Baptiste, and senior captain Daniel Balestriere ending the third quarter with Masuk in firm control.
Champagne and the Masuk offense drove down the field, and Champagne dove for the pylon, crossing the plane and scoring another touchdown for the Panthers. The insurance score for Masuk brought the score to 35-12. Bunnell’s Jacob Mosely caught a seven-yard pass from Garrigan for a touchdown, and the two-point conversion also by Mosely made the score 35-20. On Masuk’s next drive, senior captain wide receiver Tanner Walker broke free on a jet sweep for 51 yards, scoring the final Masuk touchdown of the night. Garrigan was able to rush in for the touchdown on Bunnell’s next drive, but the two-point conversion was no good. Masuk chewed down the rest of the clock, and the emphatic, 41-26 victory pushed Masuk to 5-0 on the season.
“We work day after day after day in practice, and we just fight on the field,” said Masuk head coach Chris Pace. “These guys are motivated.”
The Panthers look to keep it going next week as they will be travelling to Pomperaug to play the other Panthers. Both teams are undefeated, and next week’s high-stake matchup will determine the front runner of the SWC. Stay tuned, and we’ll see if the Masuk Panthers can stay prowling.
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