In very wet and slippery conditions on Monday evening, the EP frosh-soph football team continued their winning ways as they shut down Orion 27- 0 on the road. The win moves the team to 5-0 with Rockridge scheduled to visit Mosher Field next Monday.
EP started the game with a very rare three and out on their first possession.
The second EP drive started on the Orion 40 with the offense finding its rhythm scoring on the third play of the possession on a 20-yard run off the right side by Keegan Thompson. The PAT was blocked to put the Panthers up 6-0 with 3:35 left in the first quarter.
EP’s Raylan Scott and Russell Williamson teamed up for a sack of the Charger quarterback on their first offensive play. The defense showed its prowess throwing the Orion offense for a loss three plays in a row.
Following a punt, EP took over on their own 37 with freshman, Anden Kochevar breaking through the defense on the second play of the possession, sprinting 59 yards for the Panthers’ second score. The PAT was good giving EP a 13-0 lead at the 9:48 mark of the second quarter.
The Panther defense sent the Orion offense backwards again shutting down a fourth down attempt to give EP the ball again.
Noah Berk picked up a 14-yard gain to the Charger 24 with Panthers taking a timeout to stop the clock with just over minute remaining in the half. Noah Berk then carried to the 9 and Pierceson did the rest hitting the pylon on a run around the left side. A 2-point conversion by Berk made it 21-0 at the half.
In the third quarter Pierceson found Noah Berk behind the secondary for a 26-yard strike to put EP up 27-0 with 1:31 left in the third.
By the fourth quarter the footing was extremely difficult with both teams struggling to sustain a drive. After a final defensive stop, EP got the ball at the Orion 33 with 2:21 remaining but with field conditions deteriorating, the Panthers opted to run out the clock.
“It was a muddy mess, but our guys were able to fight through the conditions and create positive outcomes,” said Panther coach Kyle Foster. “Our O-Line play continues to be a huge reason we are so successful moving the ball. Our linebacker play has been stifling on the defensive side, with a steady rotation allowing many guys to see meaningful minutes at those spots”
