Panthers Earn First Shutout in Nine Years

Photo by Pam Mackinder

The Stockbridge football team kept its playoff hopes alive with a 33-0 shutout of St. Charles Friday night.

The shutout was the first shutout for the Panthers since 2013 when they blanked Leslie 26-0.

The win moved the Panthers to 5-3 overall on the season and the defense is the main reason for the Panthers success this season. It has allowed just 144 points in eight games for an 18 ppg average. Last season the Panthers allowed 40.6 points per game in a season in which they finished 4-5.

The defense got things going Friday night when Zach Fletcher returned a fumble 50 yards for a score and a Joey Ballagh kick made it 7-0.

Fletcher would strike again when he caught a 69-yard scoring pass from Drew Robinson to make it 14-0 at the half.

The teams were scoreless in the third, but the Panthers blew the game open in the fourth.

Robinson scored on a five-yard TD run to push the lead to 20-0 and Gary Killinger followed with a 52-yard TD run for a 26-0 lead.

The final score came when Robinson ran one in from 26 yards out to make the final 33-0.

Robinson finished 5-8 passing for 81 yards and a TD pass and rushed for 77 yards and two scores.

Killinger added 75 yards rushing and one score and Ethan Monaghan two carries for eight yards.

Fletcher caught three passes for 74 yards and a score, Killinger one for six and Brock Rochow one for one yard.

Killinger had a big night on defense with 10 solo tackles and five assists, while Monaghan had five tackles and three assists. Ballagh picked off a pass for the Panthers defense.

The Panthers need a win against Dansville Friday night for any hope of a state playoff berth. Six wins no longer guarantees a playoff spot so the Panthers will need some help to get in. The top 32 teams in playoff points in D6 get in. The Panthers are 35th heading into the final week and will need some former opponents to get some wins for bonus points for Stockbridge.