[ot-caption title=”Senior Quarterback Zach Smith, drops back to pass during a 41-13 blowout win against Pope John Paul. (via Coach Pletcher)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/featurefb.jpg”]

After a bit of a shaky start, the boys’ varsity football team has bounced back in a major way over the past few weeks. After defeating La Salle High School on September 19th, the Panthers kept the positive momentum going the following week with a 41-13 thrashing of Pope John Paul. Senior running back, Rushane Wilson, tore apart the opposing defense, surpassing two hundred yards and reaching the end zone on three separate occasions. Senior Quarterback, Zach Smith, also threw a 10-yard touchdown to Oliver King in the rout of the Eagles.

Despite the recent trend of success, the season, though not nearly complete, has provided formidable adversity among the many twists and turns. To start the year, Pine Crest opened up their schedule with a series of tough road games, dropping their first three meetings, digging themselves a big hole early in their season. However, returning home, the opportunistic Panthers reaped consecutive victories, effectively putting the team back in the playoff hunt with a record of 2-3. Both sides of the ball really appear to be gelling as the season progresses.

Led by middle linebacker Patrick Haley and his team-best 39 total tackles, the Panther defense has stifled opponents, yielding just ten points per game during their recent winning streak. On the other side of the ball, a relentless rushing attack bolstered by an experienced and disciplined offensive line has been key during the recent hot streak and really over the entire season as well.

Also key to the Panthers’ offense has been the emergence of sophomore wide-out, Jordan Schulefand, a newcomer to the Varsity team after quarterbacking the JV team as a freshman. Schulefand has been a major factor in the passing game, leading the team in receptions with 7 and receiving yards with 188.

Schulefand said of his transition, “It was a pretty easy transition because the coaches helped me a lot. I really just wanted to get on the field so I could help the team and receiver was the first opportunity I had. I still play QB, but [Quarterback Zach Smith] has been there the last three years and it’s been a great learning opportunity to see how he does it so the next two years that I am playing, I can perform to my best capabilities. Receiver has been a lot of fun and I hope I can still help the team as we finish up our season”.

Overcoming challenges and developing the team comes as no novelty to veteran Head Coach Jim Pletcher, whose experience and football knowledge has helped his team overcome the early season struggles. The team goes by the motto “unfinished business”, and that motto certainly reflects the way the Panthers have played over the last few weeks.

The team continued their successful play by beating Benjamin School, successfully avenging their loss in the Southeastern Football Conference championship game two seasons ago. Playing on the road, Pine Crest punched the home team in the mouth and seized control early, building a 28 point lead at halftime. Senior Rushane Wilson continued his Heisman-like season, gaining over 100 yards on the ground and scoring his seventh rushing touchdown of the year.

The win over Benjamin not only books the Panther’s ticket to the Southeastern Football Conference playoffs, but it also gives the Panthers three consecutive victories after starting the season 0-3. The players are certainly thrilled to have their season turned back in the right direction, as Senior Captain, Justin Stolzenberg gave his opinion on the recent streak, “We’ve been able to get ahead early and close the game out, leaving no doubt as to who the better team was. We look forward to keeping it going.”

The Panthers now stand 3-3 record-wise and third place in the conference. The quest continues with a matchup against Coral Shores this Friday, followed by a date with the undefeated Eagles of Calvary Christian on Friday, October 17^th, which marks not only the Homecoming, but Senior Night. The Panthers appear to be on a steady course towards another solid season and look to make some noise in the SFC playoffs come November.