The East Orange Panthers had road football games for three out of their four squads this past weekend, Sept. 23-24, in Week 3. They were initially scheduled to play two home games, but due to a scheduling conflict at Paul Robeson Stadium, they played all their games away. The 8U Panthers had a bye this past week due to the Hudson County Dolphins’ withdrawal from the league during Week 2, thus gaining an automatic win.
The 10U game saw the Panthers’ matchup against the Bergen County Stars Black squad as they fought a formidable defensive struggle. The game saw both teams struggle against the opposing squads’ defense. But late in the second quarter, the Panthers would strike paydirt first with a 62-yard quarterback bootleg. However, it was called back for a holding penalty. The Panthers came right back with the same play, this time from 72 yards. But once again, there was a holding penalty that derailed the Panthers’ momentum for the rest of the game. The Stars would find the end zone late in the game with a 2-yard touchdown to escape with a 7-0 win over the Panthers.
The 11U Panthers were on the road to Wayne to visit conference rival Silk City Cardinals. They had a tough go when the Cardinals pitched a shutout to them. The Panthers couldn’t find an answer for the Cardinals’ potent flight attack as the Cards swept to an easy 18-0 victory.
The 13U Panthers were on the road to Somerville to visit newcomer Somerville-Branchburg United. The Panthers flexed their muscles as they cruised to a 24-9 win. The Panthers were on the move from the opening kickoff and found the end zone easily. RB Nasir Henderson dove into the end zone from 2 yards out to open the game 6-0. The United tried to stay the pace as they scored not long after the ensuing kickoff. But the Panthers’ punishing rushing attack ate away critical yards in the second quarter, setting up a 15-yard dash by RB Jacquil Washington, 12-6. The United tried to respond before the half by immediately driving down the field with a combination of passing and ground attacks that put them within scoring distance. The stingy defense of the Panthers led them to kick a field goal to end the half with a 12-9 deficit to East Orange.
East Orange would find the end zone again in the third quarter when RB Calvin Scott erupted for a 35-yard touchdown to keep the game just out of reach of The United at 18-9. But the Panthers weren’t done as the United were in the midst of a drive. The United passing attack hit a snag when safety Kaleb Harmon-Simmons picked off one of their passes and returned it the other way 70 yards for the final 24-9 score.
The Panthers will be on the road this week when they will play all four games over two days. The 11U team will be in action on Saturday evening, Sept. 30, when they will visit Somerville-Branchburg United at Torpey Complex in Somerville for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff. On Sunday, Oct. 1, the Panthers will be back in Wayne as the 8U, 10U, and 13U squads will take on Silk City Cardinals at Passaic County Tech. The first game will kickoff at 10 a.m.
For directions to these games please go to http://www.leaguelineup.com/location.asp?url=ppypanthers&sid=283699600&locationid=1959237 or contact Panthers Head Coach and President Tyrone Miles at 201-341-3933.
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