Two games into their season, the Ardsley Panthers must not forget that there are still four more to go, including three league contests. They also must not forget that any season can take a sudden turn, which they learned in 2008 when they lost six straight games after winning their first three. But perhaps they would be well served to erase the first two games of 2009 from their memories.
On Saturday, September 12, the Class A Roosevelt Indians hosted the Class B Panthers and handled them, 26-0. Five days later, Ardsley welcomed league opponent Nanuet and lost, 35-0.
Both the Panthers and Indians struggled offensively as they battled a muddy field and steady rain. With 1:30 remaining in the first half, Roosevelt blocked an Ardsley punt attempt and received the ball on the Ardsley 22-yard line. With 18 seconds to go, quarterback Donavan Walker scampered nine yards into the end zone, and after a botched extra point the Indians had a 6-0 lead at halftime.
Ardsley was unable to capitalize on a couple of third-quarter chances. At the ten-minute mark, senior Skylar Griffenberg blocked a punt, and Ardsley took over at the Roosevelt 29-yard line. However, Kevin Outlaw immediately spoiled the opportunity with an interception.
Then, with 3:40 left in the third, the Panthers recovered a fumble just inside Roosevelt territory. Senior Penn Gottfried ran for one first down, but was then stuffed at the line of scrimmage on fourth and four.
From there, Roosevelt runningback Dave Thomas took over. He broke the game open with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 57-yard dash, and Roosevelt came away with the 26-0 victory.
Thomas compiled 238 rushing yards on 18 carries during his three-touchdown performance. Meanwhile, Walker led Roosevelt with 14 tackles.
Senior Jake Zelin led Ardsley with 11 tackles, while Griffenberg and junior Skyler Lloyd had ten apiece.
In the Panthers’ contest against Nanuet last Thursday, things got out of hand much more quickly. The Golden Knights scored on their first play from scrimmage, a fake handoff toss that resulted in a 45-yard touchdown. Five minutes later, Nanuet pounded the ball into the end zone on fourth and four, increasing their lead to 14-0. Then, as time expired in the first quarter, quarterback Tom Hanney launched a perfect 40-yard touchdown pass.
While the Panthers failed to develop their running game, the Golden Nights continued their offensive domination in the second quarter. At halftime, the scoreboard read 35-0.
Ardsley held Nanuet scoreless in the second half, but the final score was 35-0. Hanney completed four of his five passes for 82 yards, while Brett Bonomolo rushed for 75 yards on ten carries. Nanuet improved to 2-0 with their second league win.
“We haven’t been doing what we’re supposed to do,” said Griffenberg of his team’s struggles. “Offensively, we’re not blocking the right people. [The linemen] know what to do; they just need to do it right in the game situation. When we did it right, we had a couple of nice plays…We know Nanuet’s a really good team, but it shouldn’t have been that bad.”
The Panthers will look to turn things around at Our Lady of Lourdes on Friday, September 25.
