Senior Night Victory
By: Julia Henry
The Quakertown High School Panther football team won against the Harry S. Truman Tigers last Friday night, final score 35-18. After neither team scored in the first quarter, Quakertown quickly found their way to the endzone in the second quarter to cruise to victory.
Before kickoff, all of the Panther seniors walked across the field, recognized for Senior Night. The Panther seniors were escorted down the field and recognized for their contribution to the program. Senior, wide receiever and defensive back, Riley Kishbaugh noted he felt a bit of, “nervousness for Senior Night, but as it got closer to game time all those feelings washed away” and he felt prepared and ready to play. Fellow senior, Jacob Wackerman, running back, defensive back, and kicker, elaborated on the impact of participating in the Panther Football program commentating that, “I’m not just going through school for my own self-interests….I’m able to be a part of something bigger that the whole school can come together around.” The student section showed up loud and proud for the last regular season home game of the 2022 season. The three seniors interviewed also all mentioned the friendships the football team has created among teammates.
Quakertown scored their first points in the second quarter and finished the half up 21-0, with all points in the second half scored within 6 minutes. The scoring drives included: a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Vince Micuccci to Cody Jefferson, a 1-yard touchdown run by senior Brett Heilman, and a 6-yard touchdown pass from Micucci to Adam Straele.
Up 21-0 to begin the second half, the Panthers looked to build upon that lead and secure the win. The Panthers did not score again until the fourth quarter, both times on a run by Heilman. Wackerman noted that the, “first half probably wasn’t as good as we would have hoped, but the second half sealed away any doubts” and he was glad to win on Senior Night.
To beat Upper Dublin, who is undefeated throughout the regular season so far, senior Kaleb Kostenbauder, wide receiever and defensive back, said, “we go in all the same mindset of putting every ounce of work in the week…allowing the seniors to make every last memory together as a family.” Wackerman added, “ I truly believe that we’ll have a shot of upsetting UD,” mentioning the Panther’s are fundamentally strong and will have a good week of practice to prepare.
The Quakertown Panthers (5-4) face the Upper Dublin Cardinals (9-0) in a league game this Friday night. The Cardinals won their game against Souderton last week, 34-3 final score. The Panthers will end their season with a winning record, and look to create Upper Dublin’s first loss of the season.