The Park Hill South Panthers’ football team is still alive and playing its best football of the season after a 13-12 win over the Staley Falcons in the Class 6 District 8 bracket on Friday, Nov. 1, at Preston Field.
A fired up Head Coach Justin Poncy talked to his team after they beat Staley in the opening round the of the Class 6 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 1. DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo
“It’s nice to finally put four quarters together with offense, defense, and special teams chipping in,” South Head Coach Justin Poncy told The Citizen after the game. “Proud that the guys are playing their best football at the right time of the year.”
The South defense held Staley scoreless in the first half while the Panthers got six points off the leg of senior kicker Asher Huffman, including a 57-yard kick that just got over the crossbar. Poncy said part of the game plan was to remain aggressive on offense to keep the ball out of the hands of Staley’s playmakers on offense. South went for it on fourth down on its opening drive but was stopped. Poncy has a lot of confidence in his defense to play that aggressively.
South senior Asher Huffman watches as his kick travels 57 yards over the crossbar. DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo
“Trying to be default aggressive and put the attack on them and keep the ball in our hands and away from 33 and their run game,” Poncy said.
The Falcons got the break they were looking for in the second half on their second possession, scoring on a 77-yard run to tie the game, but failed to take the lead when the extra point kick went wide left.
he Panthers responded on the ensuing drive, going 80 yards, capped off with a five-yard touchdown run by Kaiden Irving. Huffman’s kick was good, and the Panthers took a 13-6 lead.
The Falcons responded with their own 80-yard touchdown drive that was aided by penalties and a fourth-down conversion. However, the kicking problems for the Falcons continued. The extra point kick was tipped at the line of scrimmage and didn’t have enough lift to get over the crossbars, leaving the Panthers with a 13-12 lead.
The Panthers were able to ice the game with a ground-and-pound offense featuring Irving and senior Tobi Falubi. Poncy said that was the major adjustment at halftime.
“We knew on offense that they were dropping into more of a shell defense, and some of the deep stuff wasn’t going to be there, so it was more of a quick game, and keep on handing the ball to No. 3 and No. 6,” Poncy said.
The win sets up a rematch with rival Park Hill this Friday.
“This time of year, motivation isn’t hard to find, but especially when you get to go play a rival in round two, that is fun for the kids,” Poncy said.
