Panthers Clip Perry for Homecoming Victory
Former Stockbridge football players from the ’70s and 80’s that remember the grind-it-out low-scoring football games of yesteryear would have loved Friday nights Homecoming football game that saw the Panthers clip Perry 14-12.
It was old-time football at its best as the teams combined for 259 yards in total offense with 226 coming on the ground.
The Panthers attempted just six passes on the night and ran the ball 46 times in the win.
Drew Robinson got things going for the Panthers with a 5-yard TD run in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead after a Joey Ballagh kick.
Perry would get back in it with a safety when the Panthers were called for intentional grounding in their own endzone to make it 7-2 midway through the second.
The Ramblers cut the lead to 7-5 with a 20-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the half.
Midway through the third Zac Rogozinski busted through the line and sprinted 46 yards for a touchdown and after the Ballagh kick the Panthers led 14-5.
Perry would make things interesting when they stripped the ball and ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown with 51 seconds left to cut the lead to 14-12 and set up an onside kick attempt.
The kick was recovered by Brock Rochow and the Panthers lined up in victory formation and ran the clock out for the win.
Zac Rogozinski finished with 109 yards on 15 carries and a score to lead the Panthers.
Robinson added 48 yards and a score on 23 carries and Zach Fletcher two for 35 yards.
Jalen Rogozinski was 3 of 6 passing for 24 yards. Robinson caught two passes for 17 yards and Damien Hayes one for seven.
Dominic Hoeppner led the defense with three solo tackles and five assists, while Gary Killinger had two solos and seven assists. Robinson and Ethan Monaghan each had an interception on the night.
Stockbridge improved to 4-3 overall and finished 1-3 in the GLAC. They kept their slim playoff hopes alive and will need wins at St. Charles and at Dansville in the last two weeks for any hope to make the post season.
