In their first matchup against the PACKERS the PANTHERS got embarrassed to the tune of a 31-0 loss. At the time Coach Jason Bialek seemed incapable of molding the PANTHERS into anything remotely close to a championship contender. Fast forward two weeks and you’ll find that the PANTHERS stunned the PACKERS 12-3 in the 6-9-year-old championship game.

On the first play of the game Coach Bialek called a trick play to catch the PACKERS’ vaunted defense off guard. PANTHERS’ Wide Receiver John May perfectly executed the youth league version of the Statue of Liberty play. Quarterback Abramo Delduca deceptively handed the ball off to May and pump faked with his right hand. As the defense tried to follow the flight of the ball, May held onto the ball with one hand behind his back. Suddenly, May took off before the PACKERS could react and found the end zone.

In addition, May made a very nice tackle on PACKERS’ star Running Back Anthony “Swag” Jagers II that thwarted a sure TD for the PACK.

Speaking of Swag, the young star single-handedly kept the PACKERS in the game with his pass rushing prowess. On one particular drive Jagers notched three sacks on Delduca including one in the PANTHERS’ end zone that resulted in a safety for the PACK MEN.  

Delduca responded by throwing a touchdown pass to Mr. May. The scoring play expanded the PANTHERS’ lead to 12-2. On the extra point attempt, Michael Sabo intercepted the pass from Delduca and returned it for one point.

PACKERS’ Quarterback Eric Gary tried his best to fight back but the young signal-caller never got comfortable running the offense. The biggest reason for the PACKERS’ offensive struggles was pesky PANTHERS’ Rusher Benjamin “Hustle Man” Haselrig. Hustle Man collected three sacks and caused Gary to rush many of his throws.

CONGRATULATIONS to the SPRING 2012 Youth League Champion PANTHERS!!!!