12U Panthers top Central Falls

The 2019 youth football season has reached its midway point.

The Panthers limped into week 5 after a tough loss to the Lincoln Lions, dealing not only with a sub .500 record at 1-

2, but with another setback in the form of two critical injuries.

And, with the bleak outlook and dwindling roster size continuing to be a concern, the players faced yet another tough game against an old foe, a team who not only shared their namesake, but a competing position in the standings, the Central Falls Panthers.

With an eye fixed on their rivals, the Johnston Panthers started the week with an old-fashioned staple that has become a microcosm of the entire season — hard work and more hard

work. The news soon improved as the team learned that one of their two injured battery mates would be available to play on Sunday.

And with that, the battle of the Panthers was underway.

After a three and out by the Central Falls, Johnston took over possession of the football — and also the game. Johnston marched down the field with purpose, eating up the

remainder of the first quarter with a tough, physical dose of inside and outside running.

This smash-mouth formula turned out to be the story of the day, with Johnston punching in three red zone touchdowns via way of 15-yard touchdown runs.

The defense played its best game of the season, not only complementing, but matching the ground and pound offense with a tough effort of their own, pitching a shut-out.

When the final whistle blew and the battle of the panthers came to an end, it was the Johnston side that prevailed by a score of 19-0.

Next in the sights of the 12U, Johnston Panthers, the Fairlawn Cardinals.

The Johnston Panthers (12U) Roster includes:

Brody Maguire, Preston Marchesseault, Jayden Allard, Lorenzo Giaccarini, Ethan Placella, Alius Santiago, Gabriel Zanni, Kaden Johnson, Johnathan Burgos, Thaden Leomensah, Matthew Clements, Michael Abbruzzi, Noah Jemery, Carlos Gutierrez, Michael Allard, Nathan Hall, David Roland, Adymilson Depina