Panthers Knock off Union City for Homecoming Win
To say it was one for the ages might be an understatement.
At the scheduled gametime of 7:00 PM, there were no officials to be seen anywhere and nobody knew when the 2025 Homecoming game would start or even if it would be played.
After some scrambling by Stockbridge administrators and coaches some officials were found and the game started 2 ½ hours late.
Despite the delay, Stockbridge came out on fire and to the delight of the Panther faithful that hung around the Panthers handed undefeated Union City its first loss 25-18 Friday night.
The Panther defense played its best game of the season, blanking the Chargers in the first half as Stockbridge built a 12-0 lead.
Stockbridge struck first when Noah Sandecki hit Aidan Bradley with a touchdown pass for a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers defense held again, and Stockbridge struck again when Sandecki in Jayson Conant with a 69-yard TD pass to push the lead to 12-0.
Union City tried to answer, but the Panther defense put up a huge goalline stand in the final seconds of the half to keep the score 12-0 at the break.
The Chargers cut into the lead in the third 12-6.
The Panthers answered with a 25-yard scoring pass from Sandecki to Brandon Hamlett for an 18-6 lead.
Union City scored with a fourth down TD pass to cut the lead to 18-12, but Stockbridge again answered with a TD run by Sandecki to push the lead to 25-12 with three minutes left.
The 13 point lead with under three minutes left seemed comfortable, but a crazy night turned even more crazy in the final moments.
The Chargers scored with under a minute remaining to make it 25-18.
Union City then recovered an onside kick and drove to the Panthers 20-yard line.
With just seconds to go, the Panthers sacked the Charger quarterback as the horn sounded, but the referees called a horse collar tackle on the play and moved the ball to the Stockbridge five-yard line.
Due to the penalty, the Chargers were given an untimed down and attempted to run the ball in, but the Panthers defense came up with one last huge stop and took the runner down at the two-yard line to end the game and the Panthers were able to celebrate the win.
Sandecki had a big night with 169 yards passing and three touchdowns and rushed for 27 yards and a score.
Conant caught two passes for 74 yards and a TD, while Bradley grabbed three passes for 70 yards and a TD, and Hamlett one for 25 and a score.
Domenic Ciminelli was in on 13 tackles on the night to lead the Panthers defense. Noah Beauregard was a force in the middles with 11 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.
Evan Lockhart had six tackles, including a couple of pad poppers that made the crown moan, while Aidin Schipul pitched in with ten tackles.
