Panthers Down Bandits
- Updated: September 12, 2017
Kevin Woolfolk finished the game with 114 yards and 2 touchdown runs
MERIDEN, CT- The Connecticut Panthers took a run first approach in their 27-6 win over the Boston Bandits. Running back Kevin Woolfolk amazed 115 yards and two scores as the Panthers collected their 5th victory of the season.
Coming off of the Labor Day bye week, both offenses had a slow start in the matchup. Panthers quarterback Jason Manson was off target for most of the first half. Coach Mark Welch decided to keep the ball on the ground and in Woolfolk’s hands. “Our line was moving people and Kevin was hot so we kept him going,” said Welch. A 20 yard Woolfolk scoring run was the only points of the half but gave the Panthers a 6-0 lead at intermission.
Both defenses pumped up their intensity in the 3rd quarter. The Bandits Jim Midgette picked off a Manson screen pass and rumbled 49 yards for a game tying score. A well-executed on-side kick gave the ball back to the Bandits deep in Panther territory. The turn of events gave the momentum to the visiting Bandits. “We knew the game was turning and we needed to do something about it,” said Panthers linebacker Rashaun McKenzie. McKenzie and his teammates proceeded to sack Future Hall of Famer Clarzell Pearl on two consecutive plays. On third down the pressure from the Panthers rush forced Pearl’s pass into the hands of safety Mike Easley. Set up by the run, Manson connected with an open LJ Colon for a scoring catch. A second touchdown run by Woolfolk gave the Panthers a commanding lead heading into the final period.
Taylor Wrice-Brooks was the Bandits bright-spot with 118 total yards of offense
The fourth quarter saw more of the run game by both Woolfolk and James Mack. Linemen Mike Swartz, Jamaal Alleyne, and Josh “Hamburger” Morrow started to wear down the Bandits front line. ”They were always a zone type lateral running team,” said an opposing coach. “Their line and Woolfolk makes them more of a powerful downhill running team.” With the defense creeping to the line of scrimmage to stop the run, Manson audibled and found a streaking Kareem Robinson for a 54 yard catch and run to end the scoring for the day. Like in each of their wins this season, Manson finished with at least two scoring throws and over 100 yards in the air.
“We didn’t play our best game but we put enough together to get a win and that’s what counts,” said Welch. In Week 9, the Panthers will travel to the Somerville Rampage while the Bandits will host the Western Mass Armor.
Linebacker Rashaun McKenzie (23) collected 7 tackles and 3 sacks on the day
BOXSCORE
| TEAMS | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | FINAL |
| Bandits | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Panthers | 6 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 27 |
BOSTON BANDITS
| PASSING | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| Clarzell Pearl | 4 | 20 | 69 | 0 | 1 |
| RECEIVING | Catch | Yards | TD’s | Catch | Yards | TD’s | |
| Taylor Wrice-Brooks | 3 | 40 | 0 | Nelson Montas | 1 | 29 | 0 |
| RUSHING | Rush | Yards | TD’s | Rush | Yards | TD’s | |
| Taylor Wrice-Brooks | 8 | 78 | 0 | Darryl Barnes | 5 | 15 | 0 |
| DEFENSIVE STAND OUTS | Tackles | Sacks | INT | Misc. |
| Greg Dominique | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Jim Midgette | 4 | 2 | 1 | 49 yard Interception return-TD |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | |
| Nelson Montas | 76 total kick return yards |
CONNECTICUT PANTHERS
| PASSING | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| Jason Manson | 6 | 18 | 148 | 2 | 2 |
| RECEIVING | Catch | Yards | TD’s | Catch | Yards | TD’s | |
| Kareem Robinson | 2 | 78 | 1 | Jamie Bryant | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Marky Desruisseaux | 2 | 42 | 0 | LJ Colon | 1 | 18 | 1 |
| RUSHING | Rush | Yards | TD’s | Rush | Yards | TD’s | |
| Jamie Bryant | 1 | 44 | 0 | Kevin Woolfolk | 13 | 115 | 2 |
| James Mack | 4 | 35 | 0 | Jason Manson | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| DEFENSIVE STAND OUTS | Tackles | Sacks | INT | Misc. |
| Moose Welch | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Akwon Shabazz | 4 | 1 | 0 | Fumble Recovery |
| Rashaun McKenzie | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | |
| Luigi Liovi 2/3 PAT |
TOTAL OFFENSE
| OFFENSE | Rush Plays | Rush Yards | Passing Plays | Passing Yards | TOTAL OFFENSE |
| Bandits | 13 | 93 | 20 | 69 | 33 plays/ 162 yards |
| Panthers | 22 | 207 | 18 | 133 | 40 plays/ 340 yards |
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