PORT BYRON- Mitch Merrill started things off well for Jordan-Elbridge as his team renewed a rivalry with Port Byron on Saturday.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
On a long toss, Port Byron junior DJ Helmer intercepts a pass intended for Jordan-Elbridge senior Josh Livingston. The Panthers beat the Eagles, 12-6 on Saturday afternoon in Port Byron.
On a long toss, Port Byron junior DJ Helmer intercepts a pass intended for Jordan-Elbridge senior Josh Livingston. The Panthers beat the Eagles, 12-6 on Saturday afternoon in Port Byron.
Merrill broke for a 64-yard touchdown run on the Eagles' first offensive play, but that was the biggest play the Panthers would allow in their 12-6 win.
“Overall, coming out and gaining that distance was huge,” Eagles head coach Mike Smart said.
However, the Panthers didn't allow that to effect them much after they made a few defensive changes.
“Mitch is a real good tough runner,” Panthers head coach Chris Kudla said.
“We knew he would get to us, and after that run we made our adjustments.”
Those adjustments consisted of bringing five Panthers to the line and allowing just two linebackers.
It also helped Justin Quimby pick up eight tackles and a key fumble recovery late in the game to seal the win after a Merrill coughed up the ball inside the Panthers' 5-yard line.
“It felt great,” Quimby said. “The defensive line caused the fumble and I mentally reacted to go for it.”
Jordan Stevens followed Quimby with seven tackles.
“We tried to slow Mitch down a bit,” Kudla said.
After Merrill's jaunt down the field, Port Byron responded well offensively as quarterback Toby Fitzsimmons orchestrated his offense down the field to score on a 3-yard pass to Robert Yeomans.
Fitzsimmons finished his day off completing 5-of-10 attempts for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Fitzsimmons and Yeomans connected for a 40-yard score in the third quarter in what was the Panthers' winning score.
“My offensive line did very well today,” Fitzsimmons said. “They gave me time to throw today and my receivers ran their routes. We stuck to our game plan, though, and that was key.”
The Panthers' first score was helped by an Eagles key penalty committed by Jeff Guadagnolo on what would have been a third down stop, but the penalty gave the Panthers a new set of downs to work with.
Merrill tried to tie it up in the fourth quarter, but fumbled the ball in the red zone with just under five minutes left.
“We needed to score more,” Smart said.
“No game is decided by one series. You would like to think it is, but in reality it isn't.”
Jordan-Elbridge was never able to regain their momentum that they started off with after Merrill's touchdown run.
Despite having 14 first downs, they made too many mistakes, with four turnovers and six penalties.
“We came out and went the distance our first series,” Smart said.
“That was huge, but the Panthers knew it was a four quarter game. They wanted it more and they made plays. They played with more intensity and that's what it comes down to. We played hard, but we need to show more emotions. We just aren't hungry enough and maybe games like this might change that. It's too bad we couldn't get the win, but there's always next week.”
The Eagles (1-6) will find out their next opponent in a crossover game today.
This week of practice will likely focus on the player's intensity levels.
“We have to step it up,” Merrill said.
“We need to make tackles.”
Jordan-Elbridge also would like to develop more hunger from its players.
“With the number of injuries we've had this year,” Smart said.
“We need to turn up the want.”
Port Byron, on the other hand, had a lot of momentum on their side at kickoff.
It was the seniors last regular season home game and they were paying respect to fallen alumn Sgt. Jerome C Bell, who passed away in September.
“It puts things in perspective,” Kudla said.
“It goes way past football. I mean this is just a game. I'm glad we won, but it's just a game. It's nice we won, but there are more important things in life then football.”
While the Panthers (2-5) also await their next opponent for a crossover game next weekend, their mind is set on next year.
Fitzsimmons will be entering his senior year and would like to go out on top.
He has come a long way from his days playing center at the modified level.
“My first goal is to win some games,” he said.
“I would like to play in some Sectional III playoff games and then go to the Dome.”
“That is a long way away,” Kudla said.
“The kids though are committed. We will try to find ways of being efficient offensively and improving defensively. We need to get better.”
J-E 6 0 0 0- 6
P.B. 6 0 6 0- 12
First Quarter
J-E - Merrill 64 run (kick failed)
P.B. - Yeomans 3 pass from Fitzsimmons (pass failed)
Third Quarter
P.B. - Eldridge 40 pass from Fitzsimmons (run failed)
“Overall, coming out and gaining that distance was huge,” Eagles head coach Mike Smart said.
However, the Panthers didn't allow that to effect them much after they made a few defensive changes.
“Mitch is a real good tough runner,” Panthers head coach Chris Kudla said.
“We knew he would get to us, and after that run we made our adjustments.”
Those adjustments consisted of bringing five Panthers to the line and allowing just two linebackers.
It also helped Justin Quimby pick up eight tackles and a key fumble recovery late in the game to seal the win after a Merrill coughed up the ball inside the Panthers' 5-yard line.
“It felt great,” Quimby said. “The defensive line caused the fumble and I mentally reacted to go for it.”
Jordan Stevens followed Quimby with seven tackles.
“We tried to slow Mitch down a bit,” Kudla said.
After Merrill's jaunt down the field, Port Byron responded well offensively as quarterback Toby Fitzsimmons orchestrated his offense down the field to score on a 3-yard pass to Robert Yeomans.
Fitzsimmons finished his day off completing 5-of-10 attempts for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Fitzsimmons and Yeomans connected for a 40-yard score in the third quarter in what was the Panthers' winning score.
“My offensive line did very well today,” Fitzsimmons said. “They gave me time to throw today and my receivers ran their routes. We stuck to our game plan, though, and that was key.”
The Panthers' first score was helped by an Eagles key penalty committed by Jeff Guadagnolo on what would have been a third down stop, but the penalty gave the Panthers a new set of downs to work with.
Merrill tried to tie it up in the fourth quarter, but fumbled the ball in the red zone with just under five minutes left.
“We needed to score more,” Smart said.
“No game is decided by one series. You would like to think it is, but in reality it isn't.”
Jordan-Elbridge was never able to regain their momentum that they started off with after Merrill's touchdown run.
Despite having 14 first downs, they made too many mistakes, with four turnovers and six penalties.
“We came out and went the distance our first series,” Smart said.
“That was huge, but the Panthers knew it was a four quarter game. They wanted it more and they made plays. They played with more intensity and that's what it comes down to. We played hard, but we need to show more emotions. We just aren't hungry enough and maybe games like this might change that. It's too bad we couldn't get the win, but there's always next week.”
The Eagles (1-6) will find out their next opponent in a crossover game today.
This week of practice will likely focus on the player's intensity levels.
“We have to step it up,” Merrill said.
“We need to make tackles.”
Jordan-Elbridge also would like to develop more hunger from its players.
“With the number of injuries we've had this year,” Smart said.
“We need to turn up the want.”
Port Byron, on the other hand, had a lot of momentum on their side at kickoff.
It was the seniors last regular season home game and they were paying respect to fallen alumn Sgt. Jerome C Bell, who passed away in September.
“It puts things in perspective,” Kudla said.
“It goes way past football. I mean this is just a game. I'm glad we won, but it's just a game. It's nice we won, but there are more important things in life then football.”
While the Panthers (2-5) also await their next opponent for a crossover game next weekend, their mind is set on next year.
Fitzsimmons will be entering his senior year and would like to go out on top.
He has come a long way from his days playing center at the modified level.
“My first goal is to win some games,” he said.
“I would like to play in some Sectional III playoff games and then go to the Dome.”
“That is a long way away,” Kudla said.
“The kids though are committed. We will try to find ways of being efficient offensively and improving defensively. We need to get better.”
J-E 6 0 0 0- 6
P.B. 6 0 6 0- 12
First Quarter
J-E - Merrill 64 run (kick failed)
P.B. - Yeomans 3 pass from Fitzsimmons (pass failed)
Third Quarter
P.B. - Eldridge 40 pass from Fitzsimmons (run failed)
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