The 12U Johnston Panthers set off on their first playoff game against the North End 49ers last Thursday night, and it was a cold, windy night at Higginson Complex in Central Falls. The game was close the entire way through. It was a hard, physical battle by both teams. The Panthers trailed 19-7 at the half, but head coach Bob Kennedy kept telling the team “Keep on fighting, we’ll break through.” Offensive Coordinator Bob Enright had the perfect plan along with coach Riggin Jones, and Buster Perrault. The 49ers held the lead all game then the Panthers rose to the occasion. The score was 32-28 with 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Panthers had third-and-goal from the 5 when the quarterback ran in a bootleg to the right side for the go-ahead touchdown. The Panthers now led the game 34-32 with 28 seconds to go. The defense then huddled together and said “One last stand.” The defensive team did just that, as it dug down deep and preserved the victory for the Panthers, and on to the Cumberland Colts they went.

This past Sunday the Panthers played the Colts, and they played great and had the lead at halftime, 6-0. The team came out strong and it held the lead and never looked back, 22-0. With 2:13 left in the game, the Cumberland Colts scored, making the final 22-8.

The Panthers now play CLCF in the Super Bowl this Sunday, Nov. 1, in Fall River at Durfee High School on 360 Elsbree St. at 3 p.m. to decide which team goes to the state regional game.