Saratoga High School celebrated Homecoming last weekend, and what a great time for the Panthers football team to put together their most complete game of the year. Saratoga proved a rude host to visiting Guernsey putting 54 on the scoreboard while only allowing 8. All three phases of the game were controlled by the Panthers in the dominating victory.
Shut down defense by Saratoga was the theme of the night, starting from the opening possession by the Vikings. Over the course of the evening the Guernsey offense was stoned and the Panthers forced several turnovers. Hard hitting by the Panther defenders denied Guernsey any momentum and continually turned the ball back to the offense.
And the offense did not disappoint. Using a power running attack that has been improving in every game the Panthers controlled the line of scrimmage. The sturdy O-line opened holes in the Viking defense over all four quarters. The Panthers scored on their opening possession, an off tackle slant by Snowdon Williams. Staying between the tackles and behind their pads Panther ball carriers put in workmanlike night, churning out yards and crossing the goal line.
Saratoga scored 16 1st quarter points, added 22 in the 2nd and 16 in the 3rd. The only Vikings score was in the 1st period. They could not budge the Panthers D over the final three periods and the game ended 54-8.
In a game with many outstanding defensive performances, Douglass Campbell put in a standout night. The highlight was ripping the ball from the hands of the Vikings quarterback and rumbling for the end zone. No word on what happened to that kids lunch money but the play resulted in a Panthers TD. Within the points system coaches use to grade players during a game Douglass notched an impressive 22. Burris Berger and Griffon Bartlett each had an interception. Every player on the roster showed up on defense and special team.
Three Panthers had two touchdowns each; Snowdon Williams, Allyster Ingraham and three way contributor Hazen Williams. Coach Weber told the Sun, “Just a great all around team effort. Our kids get better game by game. They really seem to embrace this style of offense and it showed tonight.”. Saratoga will be in action this Friday night at Wright. Game time is 6:00p.
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