PANTHERS WIN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

BRIDGEPORT-The Bridgeport Gators fall from the ranks of undefeated teams after losing to the Connecticut Panthers 13-3 in a defensive struggle Sunday evening.

&ldquot;With this much speed on the field we knew this was going to be a tough battle&rdquot; said Gators Dino Mancinelli. Mancinelli and the Gators mounted drives in the first half only to be sidelined by untimely penalties and pressure from the Panthers front line. &ldquot;We just never could get it going tonight&rdquot;. A 21 yard field goal in the first half was all the Gators could manage after averaging over 30 points per game this season.

Without an injured Rich Snowden, the Panthers placed do- everything player Jamie Bryant under center. Bryant kept the Panthers in attack mode all night both as a passer and as a runner. &ldquot;Jamie did just enough to keep us aggressive all game&rdquot; said head coach Derek Bortz. A 17 yard scramble then pass to Justin Krukishanks from Bryant set up the Panthers near the end zone for a short scoring run by Tyrone Kelly. &ldquot;That was a huge play by Jamie; that was exactly we needed from him.&rdquot;

After a few possession changes, a fourth quarter punt to the Panthers Shante Wynn spelled the end of the Gators undefeated season. Wynn followed a convoy of blockers up the right sideline on his way to an exciting 73-yard punt return that deflated the Gators large fan base. &ldquot;This was a big game for us&rdquot; said Wynn, &ldquot;I live for opportunities like this.&rdquot;

The win leaves the Maine Sabers as the only undefeated team in AAA. &ldquot;We knew going into the season that nobody in the South or West would go undefeated this year&rdquot; said NEFL representative Bernie Armstrong, &ldquot;it's a lot of parity down here; whomever come out of this area will be clearly battle tested&rdquot;.

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BOXSCORE

CT PANTHERS

BRIDGEPORT GATORS  

TOTAL OFFENSE

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