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2007 Schedule
8/24 7:00 @
Jacksonville (H.S.)
8/31 7:00 @
Granite City
9/7 7:00 H
Peoria (Richwoods)
9/14 7:00 H
*Bethalto (Civic Memorial)
9/21 7:00 @
*Troy (Triad)
9/28 7:00 H
*Waterloo (H.S.)
10/5 7:00 H
*Mascoutah
10/12 7:00 @
*Highland
10/19 7:00 @
Pekin
#### - Enrollment
*Conference Game
Snyders Sports Complex Direction
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| Team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| High |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
| JCHS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
Week #4 vs. Highland
9/15/2006
Panthers set single game rushing record
After getting shut out last week against Peoria Richwoods, Coach Chris Skinner had a long bus ride home to contemplate what he had to do to get his team ready for Highland in week 4. The solution was pretty simple, the Panthers had to get better results from its defensive and offensive lines. After a week of practices that featured a new found respect for the word "focus", the Panthers ground game soared to a new level.
Jersey backs Adam Hayes and Trevor Crane led the way for the Panthers, who rushed for a total of 437 yards and a new Panther record. The previous record stood for 12 years. That's when the 1994 Panther football team rushed for 381 yards against the Roxana Shells.
"Our line played much better tonight and it showed" said Skinner. "The kids worked very hard last week and it proved to be the difference in the game. Adam, Trevor, Andy (Updike) and Troy (Hutchens), ran very hard and had some nice holes to run through."
The Panthers overcame a costly turnover on their first drive, when Trevor Crane exploded for a 25 yard touchdown run. The PAT by junior kicker Brandyn Snider gave Jersey a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. That particular series was a preview of the rest of the night with the balance of runs by Crane and Hayes.
Jersey took a 13-0 lead in the second quarter when Hayes raced 41 yards for a score. The 6'1", 200lb senior had 217 yards on the night on 19 carries. The second half of the ground attack, Crane had 199 yards on 25 carries and 2 touchdown runs.
Highland quickly shaved the lead to 13-12, by way of 2 quick touchdown strikes from QB Travis Becherer in the second quarter. Jake Ordazzi caught the first score with a 7 yard grab, followed by 25 yard completion to Justin Shaw. However, with 4:20 left in the half, Jersey QB Andy Updike scored from 6 yards out to increase the lead to 20-12.
In the second half the Bulldogs would make it interesting when Becherer once again found an open Ordazzi. The 41 yard completion was a result of a roughing the kicker penalty call against the Panthers and brought the Bulldogs within two points.
Crane scored his second touchdown of the night on a 2 yard plunge that increased the Panther lead to 27-18, but with 4:10 left to go in the game, Becherer once again connected with Ordazzi to cut the Panther lead to 27-25.
But this was to be the night of the O-line and all of their hard work. The hard work of the offensive line in those last 4 plus minutes proved to be the difference maker in the game. On a record breaking night for rushing, it is the names of the line that should once and for all get the credit. Those Panther players include Paul Strebel, David Fry, Johnny Schnettgoecke, Brandon Jones, Tyler Hagarty, Ryan Whited, Freddie Pohlman and Brandon Yates.
The 3-1 (1-0) Panthers travel to Mascoutah for a week five game against the undefeated Indians. A victory over then undefeated Waterloo 24-14 gave them their first conference win of the season.
"Mascoutah has talent all over the field. They have a good running back, their QB can throw the ball, and their line is very quick," said Skinner. "We will have to play a very physical ball game and control the clock. We must shore up some of the problems we had against Highland."
And when asked about that new word in the Panther dictionary, the Panther head coach replied: "Focus, is our new key word, everyone must focus and do their job, every down of every series."
Mike McInerney
Pantherfb.org
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