by Elyria Catholic head coach Chase Farris has done something he has not done since beginning his tenure. That is to win a week one game. The Elyria Catholic Panthers defeated the Lutheran West Longhorns 47-13 Friday night at Reasor Stadium.
The Panthers started out with a bang. On the first play of the game from the line of scrimmage, senior Donovan Shumpert took a pass and brought it 44 yards up the field. A couple plays later he would take one over a Longhorn defender for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Lutheran West, with the first game for new head coach Dan Shifley, would stall on their first possession with help from a defensive holding on Elyria Catholic for their first down. Then, the Panthers would muff a punt and the Longhorns would recover. This would lead to a 9-yard touchdown run from senior Max Jenkins but would miss the extra point to make it 7-6.
After that, it would be all Panthers from there. They would take control on both sides of the line and dominate. Donovan Shumpert would take a wheel route for 48 yards and a 14-6 lead, then add a scoop and score for 28 yards for a 21 to 6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Shumpert would have one more touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter and the route was on. Junior Arris Malone would add a score from classmate Robbie Duray, who looked clean and accurate all night. The only thing the Longhorns could do well on defense was stop the run.
Juelz Martin, also a junior, was great as well and took poise when he had the ball and scored on the night.
The Panthers defense was dominating all night, putting stress on a new look Longhorn offense. Longhorns were in very spread out looks and quarterback Jayden Taylor looked uncomfortable when in the pocket.
The Longhorns scored one more time at the end of the fourth quarter as Taylor connected with junior Josh Coates for a big 33-yard touchdown strike. That is where new placekicker Addy Esposito, would make the first PAT of her career.
Elyria Catholic Junior Vinny Reyes, who scored tonight as well, said that the EC Panthers would use this game as momentum for the upcoming season, and said his practices over the summer helped give them chemistry, something the Lutheran West Longhorns were lacking, especially in the passing game.
The Panthers will host Mayfield at Reaser Stadium for week 2, while the Longhorns will be home to welcome the Hawken Hawks
Players of the Game:
Lutheran West- Max Jenkins; had 62 yards rushing with a score and was the heart and soul of the defense who was in every play.
Elyria Catholic- Donovan Shumpert; the man was unstoppable with three touchdowns on 150 yards receiving and one score on defense. He was all over the place and opened up his teammates to get into the action as well.
