Panthers knock Blue Jays from the ranks of the Unbeaten!

In front of a large Homecoming crowd, the FZN football team defeated previously unbeaten Washington 56 – 13 last Friday night. With the victory, the Panthers now stand at 6 – 0 (3 – 0 GAC Central) on the season and are now in the driver’s seat for a potential 6th straight conference title. Against the Blue Jays, the Panthers set the tone early as senior standout Izaiah Hartrup returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. Hartrup’s early score was followed by scores on the Panthers first two offensive possessions, a 14 yard run by the prolific quarterback Cairo Payne and a Hartrup run from 7 yards out. The Blue Jays did their best to make a game of it and put up a spirited effort in closing the gap to 21 – 6 at halftime. But the powerful Panther offense kicked into high gear in the second half as the Panthers scored four offensive touchdowns; two rushing touchdowns by Payne, one by Chris Futrell, and Jack Newcomb on a 31-yard pass, to pull away from the Blue Jays. Payne was particularly impressive against the Blue Jays, running for a season-high 183 yards on 15 carries and going a perfect 6 – 6 passing for 108 yards.

The Panther defense did their part in suffocating the Blue Jay attack. Led by Max Martin, who recorded a game high 11 solo tackles with 2 assists, the Panthers severely limited the Washington offensive effort. Parker Monnig continued his trek toward a new school record for single season sacks as FZN’s resident sack-master recorded 2 more to up his season total to 17! Chris Futrell scored his second defensive touchdown in as many weeks, as he stripped to the ball from a Washington ball carrier and returned it for a defensive score.

This Friday the Panthers travel to intra-district rival Fort Zumwalt East. The Lions enter the game coming off their first victory of the season, an overtime win over Fort Zumwalt South. Kick-off at East is scheduled for 7:00 pm.