Football Team Wins Two of Three

The Stockbridge football team has gotten hot of late after winning two of three games after starting the season at 0-5.

The Panthers took down former GLAC foe Maple Valley 33-21 Friday night. The two teams are in their first season as members of the Big 8 conference.

Stockbridge used a big first half to take a 27-0 lead over the Lions and held them off in the second half for the win.

The Panthers got things going with a 23-yard scoring pass from Zac Rogozinski to Foster Pybus for a 7-0 lead after Josiah Muzzin’s extra point kick.

The lead grew to 13-0 when Noah Sandecki busted free for a 34-yard TD run.

Rogozinski connected with Brock Rochow for a five-yard scoring pass early in the second for a 19-0 lead and Pybus returned an interception 32 yards to make it 25-0. Rogozinski hit Rochow with a pass to convert the two=point attempt for a 27-0 halftime lead.

Maple Valley tried to get back into the game with a TD run in the third and another erly in the fourth to cut the lead to 27-14.

The Panthers sealed the win when Brandon Hamlett broke free for a 54-yard TD run for a 33-14 lead.

The Lions added a late score to make the final 33-21.

Hamlett had a huge game with 178 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown. Sandecki added 96 yards and a TD.

Rogozinski completed just two passes, but both were for touchdowns to Pybus and Rochow. He also led the defense with 12 tackles.

The Panthers intercepted four passes with Muzzin grabbing two, with Rochow and Pybus each getting one.

Stockbridge picked up its first win of the season October 4 by taking down Quincy 28-7.

Rogozinski connected with Rochow for a 29-yard TD to put the Panthers on top 6-0 after one quarter.

Quincy scored early in the second to take a 7-6 lead, but the Panthers got a 35-yard TD run from Rogozinski and and a 37-yard TD pass from Rogozinski to Hamlett for a 20-7 halftime lead.

Rogozinski connected with Hamlett one more time for a score, this time from 15-yards out. He then hit Rochow with the two-point conversion to make it 28-7 and the Panther defense did the rest.

The Panthers were led by the big night of Rogozinski who was 7-11 passing for 131 yards and three TD’s and also rushed for 104 yards and a score.

Hamlett added 110 yards rushing and caught three passes for 58 yards and two TD’s.

Rochow caught three passes for 66 yards and a score, while Aidan Bradley caught one for seven yards.

Domenic Ciminelli led the defense with 10 tackles. Rochow picked off three passes, while Pybus had one and Jayson Conant recovered a fumble.

In between the two wins, the Panthers dropped a tough 40-35 decision to Sand Creek October 11.

The Aggies jumped out to a 22-0 lead before Sandecki ran one in from 19 yards out to cut the lead to 22-6 at halftime.

Sandecki then caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Rogozinski to cut the lead to 22-12 before Sand Creek ran one in for a 28-12 lead.

The Panthers cut the lead to 28-20 with a 28-yard run by Sandecki and two-point run by Hamlett.

The Aggies struck again for a 34-20, but the Panthers answered with a 56-yard scoring pass from Rogozinski to Pybus to make it 34-28 after three.

The Panthers took the lead in the fourth with a four-yard TD run and Noah Beauregard kick to make it 35-34.

Sand Creek answered with a 2-yard TD run for a 40-35 lead.

Stockbridge drove into Sand Creek territory late but could not reach the endzone as the Aggies held on for the win.

Rogozinski was 10 of 132 passing for 199 yards and two TD’s.

Sandecki rushed for 106 yards and two scores and caught five passes for 79 yards and a TD.

Hamlett rushed for 73 yards and a TD and caught two passes for 19 yards.

Pybus caught two passes for 97 yards and a score and Rochow one for four yards.

Braiden Royal led the defense with 11 tackles, while Ciminelli had nine, and Hamlett three.

The Panthers improved to 2-6 overall on the season and are 2-5 in the Big 8.