Hornets Sting Panthers Early, Come Up Short

By John Singleton

When the undefeated Green Hornets 80-lb D3 football team stepped onto the field on Saturday October 1 against the unbeaten Pasadena Panthers, they knew it would be a defining moment in their young season.

“This was a true test,” said Head Coach Brandt Butcher. “We were definitely the underdog. The majority of our guys are first-year players. We’re still learning the ropes.”

Going into the contest against the favored Panthers the Hornets had defeated Crofton 13-6 in week one, shellacked Chesapeake Bay 20-6 in week two, and shut out GORC 21-0 in week three. The high-scoring Panthers, on the other hand, had won five straight games and outscored their last two opponents by a combined 80-12 count.

Against Pasadena, the 8U Hornets’ hit pay dirt on their first offensive series. Brendan Watson exploded around the left end on a fourth and one for a 42-yard run down to the three yard line, and the Hornets were able to punch it in for the score one play later to take a 7-0 lead. Coach Butcher’s single-wing offense was in high gear and Watson was aided by key blocks from Durham Butcher, Bradley Peyton, and Will Hopkins.

“That was a big play that got us off to great start,” said Butcher. “We use a variation of the old Notre Dame box offense.  Trap blocks are our primary technique. It gives our lineman an advantage in they don’t have to hold their blocks long, but they do need to position themselves properly and hit their assignments at the point of attack.”

Operating out of the shotgun formation and snapping directly to his tailbacks, Coach Brandt engineered a second long drive in the second quarter. As storm clouds gathered overhead, the Hornets’ James Ruppert powered his way into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown run, putting Severna Park in the driver’s seat 14-13 at the half.

“At halftime we were pleased with our efforts,” said Butcher.  “Everybody knew their assignments. We were executing and playing well”

The dark clouds grew more ominous in the second half, as Severna Park’s fortunes began to change. The game’s decisive drive started at the Pasadena 29-yard line. The Panthers moved the chains using their cadre of talented running backs. At the fifty-yard line the Hornets appeared to stop Pasadena’s drive when a Panther ball carrier fumbled after a five-yard gain. But an alert Panthers wing back scooped up the fumble on a perfect bounce, catching the Hornets by surprise and running 50 yards for a touchdown. The final score when whistle blew was Panthers 28, Hornets 13.

The Hornets were aided by solid line play from Roy Fruehauf, who played well both offensively and defensively. Center Matthew Kostacopoulos played flawlessly at center, avoiding bad snaps and making key blocks, and cornerback Will Hopkins made several impressive open-field tackles.

“This was a big game and a true test. Pasadena had been beating teams by significant margins. This was a close game that slipped away from us on the bounce of a ball. I’m very proud of our guys,” summarized Butcher. “There’s a good chance we’ll see Pasadena again in the playoffs. To beat them we’ll have to execute and be disciplined. But we haven’t peaked yet. Our best football is yet come.”

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