Week Three 9/9/22

Panthers Look to Reset Mindset Heading into Week Four

By: Julia Henry

The Quakertown High School Panther football team dropped a non-league game to Central Bucks West, final score 56-14. The Panthers will reset for this Friday’s non-league game against Plymouth Whitemarsh. They struggled to start strong. CB West began the night with a 33-yard opening drive touchdown. The Bucks scored once more to take a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Halfway into the second quarter, the Panthers crossed the 50-yard line for the first time of the game. This strong drive resulted in a touchdown for the Panthers after a 47-yard pass to senior running back, John Eatherton, from quarterback Vince Micucci. This was Eatherton’s first game and touchdown of the season, as he returned from injury. CB West scored four times in the second quarter, taking a 42-7 lead into halftime. Junior Devin Eure, a running and defensive back, commented upon his defensive approach to the game. He mentioned, “[CB West] was a running offense, so I was looking for the quarterback’s motion…which way he turned his back because the ball was generally going that way.” Senior Dominic Basile, an offensive and defensive lineman, added that his defensive approach was, “mak[ing] sure I did my job and shot the right gaps when I was told.”

Going into the second half, the Panthers knew they would have to fight to the end to win the game. Basile spoke on how the team “had a hard time discussing the first half in the locker room” because the game was simply not going the way the Panthers wanted it to. The Panthers scored their second touchdown in the third quarter and came back strong defensively, not allowing another Bucks touchdown until the fourth quarter.

Throughout the game, the Panthers experienced trouble containing CB West’s run game. Unfortunately, they were not able to move the ball well on offense and allowed too many yards on punt returns. The Bucks were able to capitalize on the short field and score. Quakertown sat their starters at the end of the game to have them refreshed and ready to go for the minute the whistle blows at Alumni Field this Friday night.

When reflecting upon the game, Basile focused on, “there [isn’t] much we want to bring with us into next week” and the Panthers will play better on Friday. Eure highlighted that the team “[has] to be aggressive and have heart” guaranteeing “this Friday will be different…We will put the hard work in…to prepare for Plymouth Whitemarsh.” Hard work throughout practice this week as well as an aggressive mindset will help the Panthers execute their game plan.

The Quakertown Panthers (1-2) host the Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (1-2) in a non-league game this Friday, September 16. Plymouth Whitemarsh lost 35-13 to Ridley last week. The Panthers look to reset and win this Friday night.