Panthers Claw Down Bluejays, Remain Undefeated In HNAC Play
It was a cold night, as the Pioneer Panthers came to Liberty Field to take on the North Judson San-Pierre Bluejays. With both teams sporting impressive records, heading into the final regular season game of the year, the Bluejays were wanting nothing more than to hand the Panthers their first conference loss in the five year history of the Hoosier North Athletic Conference. The power and discipline of the Panthers would be too much from start to finish, however, as Pioneer would take the opening kickoff down the field on a ten play drive, finding the end zone in the person of Senior Ezra Lewellen, who would cross the goal line from three yards out. After a successful two-point conversion by Freshman quarterback Cayden Hill, the Panthers had an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Bluejays would show some consistency on their first drive, keeping the ball on the ground, as they attempted to move the ball down the field against a Pioneer defense that is only yielding twelve points per game this season. The ‘Jays were able to move the ball down the field on their opening possession, running about ten plays, before the drive stalled out, resulting in the Bluejays punting the ball back to the Panthers in the first quarter. As the second quarter began, the Panthers continued marching the ball down the field, looking to fullback Brock Robinson, who showed his physicality as Pioneer punched the ball at the Bluejay defense. On the seventh play of the drive it would be Robinson who would cap things off, as he exploded into the end zone from seven yards out to get his lone touchdown of the ballgame. Following a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Panthers now had a 12-0 with 9:14 remaining in the first half. The Bluejays would be unable to get the offense going with any consistency, forcing the Bluejays into a punting situation once again. On the punting attempt by the ‘Jays, Pioneer would blow through the line, forcing North Judson to go down before the punt could be attempted, giving the ball to the Panthers at the Bluejay eleven yard line. It would take little time for Pioneer to find the end zone once again, as Ezra Lewellen would find the end zone for the second time in the first half, scoring on a six yard run. Following a failed two-point conversion, the Panthers were leading the Bluejays 18-0 with 7:01 left in the first half.
On the ensuing possession, the Bluejays would get their best starting field position of the night, after a great return by Cheyenne Allen, giving the ‘Jays the ball at their own thirty-four yard line. North Judson would continue to pound Allen at the Panthers’ defense, allowing the powerful sophomore to put the Bluejays into a fourth and short situation. Electing to go for the first down, the ‘Jays would put the ball in the hands of quarterback Trey Hampton, who would be unable to get the first down against the stingy Panther defense, turning the ball over on downs. The Panthers would continue pounding the ball at the Bluejays, giving the ball consistently to Lewellen and Lewellen, as Ezra and Addai would have the defense on their heels as the Panthers moved the ball closer to the end zone. It would be the Freshman quarterback Cayden Hill who would punch in the final score of the first half, as he would sneak the ball two yards across the goal line. Following an unsuccessful two-point conversion, Pioneer held a 26-0 lead at the half.
The Bluejays would begin the second half on the attack offensively, the tough times would continue for the North Judson offense. The ‘Jays would be able to pick up a first down through the air, as Trey Hampton would complete a pass to Owen Frasure, who was able to come down with a sixteen yard reception to move the chains for the ‘Jays. The drive, however, would stall out, forcing the Bluejays to punt. The punting situation would work out in favor of the Bluejays, as Pioneer’s return man would drop the ball, allowing North Judson Freshman Connor Benson to recover the ball deep in Pioneer territory! With the ball marked just inside the Panthers’ ten yard line, the Bluejays began their drive. After the a couple of plays moving the ball closer to the goal line, it would be Trey Hampton who would get the ball across the goal line to put North Judson on the board for the first time in the ballgame. After the successful extra point kick, the scoreboard would read 26-7 in favor of the Panthers. Pioneer, however, would not relax, as they would once again turn to Ezra Lewellen, who would explode for a 56-yard touchdown run, his third touchdown of the game! Following an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, the Panthers led the Bluejays 32-7, which would be the score as the third quarter came to an end.
Each team would find the end zone one more time in the fourth quarter, as Trey Hampton would score once again for the Bluejays on a quarterback sneak from the one yard line, after a huge 38-yard reception by Senior Tanner Craig helped move the ball down the field on the scoring drive, while Pioneer would get a 22-yard touchdown from Addai Lewellen to give the final score of 38-13, giving the Panthers yet another undefeated season in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference.
The Starke County Co-Op Play of the Game on WKVI came in the third quarter, when Ezra Lewellen of Pioneer broke a 56-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 32-7 lead.
The Ashley Derrickson/Five Star Player of the Game went to Pioneer’s Ezra Lewellen, who carried the ball 12 times for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns in the winning effort.
The Panthers end their regular season with an overall record of 8-1, including 5-0 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference, while the Bluejays wrap up their regular season with a 7-2 overall record, and a 5-2 HNAC record.
Game Statistics
Pioneer-38
(Attempts-Yards-Touchdowns)
Rushing: Ezra Lewellen 12-137-3; Brock Robinson 18-100-1; Addai Lewellen 10-84-1; Cayden Hill 2-(-)10-1
(Completions-Attempts-Yards)
Passing: Cayden Hill 1-2-6
(Receptions-Yards-Touchdowns)
Receiving: Logan Smith 1-6
North Judson-13
(Attempts-Yards-Touchdowns)
Rushing: Cheyenne Allen 21-70; Eli Blount 9-27; Trey Hampton 8-7-2; Owen Frasure 2-7; Tabor Brown 1-2; Quentin Frasure 1-1
(Completions-Attempts-Yards-Touchdowns)
Passing: Trey Hampton 2-3-54
(Receptions-Yards-Touchdowns)
Receiving: Owen Frasure 1-16; Tanner Craig 1-38
*Statistical Information In This Article Provided By Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Staff. These Are Not Official Game Statistics*
