12U Panthers making playoff push

At 4-2, the 12U Johnston Panthers began to take on a personality and identity of their own. No, it wasn’t cockiness or arrogance, it was faith in each other and in their coaches.

The camaraderie that had begun to build on and off the field growing noticeably stronger with each of those four victories, had now become a tangible entity. Things were clearly changing.

After their 27-6 victory over the Providence Patriots, the Panthers found themselves climbing the standings and jockeying for playoff position while heading into a tough matchup with a team just above them in those standings … the Fall River Falcons.

With an eye on the potential playoff future, the boys began their preparation with an intense, physical practice as usual, but what happened that night, was far out of routine. Late in the evening, the offensive coordinator was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a minor heart attack.

The Panthers waited for an update about their coach. Some good news finally came down in the early afternoon and he returned from the hospital and the boys learned that he was in good spirits and resting.

Sunday, came up fast, and the Panthers took the field with a special presence leading them out … their offensive coordinator. With the doctor’s approval, the coach took the field and inspired the players. With the team circled up around him, engulfing him in a sea of gray, Coach began his favorite cadence, by shouting. “How Ya Feel?” and the boys responded, “Real Good!”

Pumped up, the Panthers took the opening kickoff 80 yards, but turned the ball over on downs in the red zone.

From that point, a defensive battle began, until the Panthers broke the deadlock on the scoreboard as well as the deadlock in the standings with a QB dive from the one-yard line. The game ended with a 7-0 score as the 12U Panthers climbed to 5-2 and moved ahead one place in the standings.

Next up for the 12U Panthers, another battle of the standings, a game for control of the No. 3 playoff seed, a game against the 5-2, East Providence Townies.