After clinching the top seed in the FALL 2015 playoffs, the PANTHERS went on to dominate the postseason. Against the RAIDERS, the BLACK CATS pitched a 13-0 shutout to win the championship.The win also marks the 10th championship for PANTHERS’ coach Dennis “Shor D” Wolford.

Before I delve into the nuances of this game, allow me to admit that I incorrectly predicted that the LIONS would advance to the championship round instead of the RAIDERS. Now that we’ve taken care of the formalities, let’s talk some football.

After starting out the season 0-2 the PANTHERS did not appear to be a team destined to win a title. As a matter of fact, one of those losses was a forgettable 7-0 loss to the RAIDERS. If ever there was a silver lining for an underdog team looking to upset the top-seeded PANTHERS, it would be the very first matchup between these two teams.

Initially the RAIDERS game plan of shutting down the explosive PANTHER offense was working to perfection. Through the first 20 minutes of the game the scoreboard was empty. The PANTHERS were not executing on offense and consequently the RAIDERS were in position to win the game if they could just reach the end zone one time.

Unfortunately for the SILVER AND BLACK, the underdogs did not have the playmakers to put the game away late in the second half.

Enter star PANTHERS Wide Receiver Christopher Dotson Jr.

Following a clutch first down conversion catch of a pass thrown by teammate Christopher Moncrief, Dotson took a routine hand off the distance to add six points to the scoreboard for the PANTHERS. Michael Sabo’s extra point conversion reception gave the PANTHERS a 7-0 lead.

On the first play of the next drive, Moncrief sniffed out a pass by RAIDERS Quarterback Caleb Greenwald and caught an interception with one minute left on the game clock. The PANTHERS went three-and-out on the following possession, giving the RAIDERS one last shot to tie or win the game.

Once again Dotson saved the day with a thrilling play. The young man outdueled RAIDERS’ Wide Receiver Michael Chismar for a 50/50 ball thrown by Zymerre BIbb to secure an interception. Alertly, Dotson juked a couple of RAIDERS and scurried to the end zone for a walk-off TD.

When I asked the young baller why he was so effective at making big plays Dotson replied, “SPEED!”