Klein Oak vs. Tomball

Freshman Black

October 9, 2008

Panthers Reek Homecoming Havoc on Cougars

By KO Freshman Mom

Last night was a beautiful night at Klein Oak Stadium, what more could the Freshmen Teams ask for than clear skies and beautiful weather. The opponent side was bedecked with the typically insulting banners of a homecoming game. The Panthers were represented four strong by #76 Kevin Wilfong, #51 , #32 Broderick Lacy, and #6 Palmer Currie. The coin toss determined that Klein Oak would initiate kickoff into the north end of the stadium. The Kick-Off Team consisted of #61 Geo Reyes, #46 Cougar Babin, #35 Tuff McClain, #32 Broderick Lacy, #24 Chris Haywood, #23 Bradley Koreneck, #20 Alton Hilliard, #18 Kwana Kuffor, #8 Nick Baratti, #4 Khalil Maknojia, and #3 Deion Hill. Kicker Kwana Kuffor, launched a solid kick to the Cougars 13 yard line, where a fair catch that ran back was stopped by Reyes and Koreneck (23). But a holding penalty took another 10 yards from the Panthers. The Offensive Line finally got to get a little dirty. The starting offensive consisted of  Hill, Baratti, #15 Dashone Smith, #30 Andrew Bailey, McClain, #50 John Dice, #52 Ryan Spradley, #56 Tyler Norwood, #72 Jeremy Jones, #77 Richard Carpenter, and #88 Daniel Shaul. There were several nice plays during that drive, including a running play by quarterback Baratti that carried over 10 yards for a first down and the hard pounding drive of #44 Eddie Fatu for the initial score of the game! The field goal attempt by #11 Austin Odreij was good, bringing the score: Cougars 0, Panthers 7. The Tomball Cougar attempted a come back, but their first play brought about false start penalty and the remaining plays just left them beaten and bruised by Babin, Fatu, and Haywood. A turnover gave the ball back to Klein Oak and the Panthers again pawed their way down field all the way to the Cougar 22. No touch down made, but it was great place to end the quarter. Score 0-7 Panthers.

The second quarter started with KO kicking off to Tomball. The ball came down near the Cougars 16 yard line and was run back to the 30. It was there that the Cougars were pounced on by Currie (6), Hilliard (20), and McClain (35). The Cougars had even less luck with that drive possession then the last. The Cougars experienced two offensive false starts and multiple Panther Pounces from Shaul, #63 Jay Andrews, Babin, Koreneck, and Hilliard. The next possession for the Panthers moved down field with some quick passes and a few short gains on the offensive line. Within moments after a 15 yard rush by Nick Baratti, Eddie Fatu made another ferociously pounding touchdown, bring the score to 0-19. The two point conversion attempt failed, but the fighting spirit was ever present. The Cougars rallies during their next drive to accomplish a touchdown, but not without being stalked by the stealthy Panthers as they pounced on the field goal attempt and denied the Cougar their extra point.

After the half the Panthers received the ball and started at their own 30 yard line. The incredible drive took our boys all the way to the Red Zone, but alas we were denied another fatal bite into the Cougars. The Cougars fought back and eventually scored, 12-19, but not without sustaining several attacks from the Panthers’ Koreneck, Babin, Shaul, Fatu, and Haywood. The Panthers’ next drive started at their 31 yard line and carried over the fourth period.

Klein Oak carried to the Tomball 10 yard line and a fourth down forced a turnover. The final minutes of the game were quite action packed. Both Panthers and Cougars fought for possession of the leather prey. When Klein Oak again had ownership it was on Tomball’s 40 yard line. It was from there that the hard work and dedication of the Offensive Line assisted Nick Baratti in carrying the ball into the end zone for a score of 12-25. Add the two point conversion, completed by Lashone Smith, and the Cougars received the ball 15 points behind their captors. The Cougars did rally against the dominating Panthers and scored another touchdown, but they failed at their two point conversion due to great team work by the Defensive Line. With the Panthers in healthy lead, they again took to the field with only one goal in mind… the line. At their own 48 yard line Nick Baratti ran up field into the end zone, only to be denied the touchdown when the referee called him out of bounds at the 7 yard line. A few plays after a delay of game caused a turnover to the Cougars. The Panthers did not hesitate and ended the game when #48 Jeffery Toth was assisted by Kevin Wilfong in sacking the Cougar Quarterback, ending the game with a score of 18-27.

The Panthers’ Freshmen Black team showed great teamwork and skill during last night’s game. The Offensive Line offered improved snaps, good pocket movement and great blocking to establish the running game. The Defensive Team presented a run defense that established a strong opposition for the Cougars. With improvement in our secondary teams, I feel they are capable of being the strongest in the district.

Join us next week as the Panthers take on the Klein Collins Tigers at Klein Collins, located at 20811 Ella Boulevard in Spring Texas 77388. It is an away game, so wear your white and let’s watch the Panthers eliminate another ‘puddy-tat’ from our Jungle.