The Panthers headed up to Potomac on Friday to take on the undefeated Churchill

Bulldogs in Montgomery County’s game of the week.  The Panther offense, which began to click more efficiently in the previous week’s game against Kennedy, looked to continue to roll in this high-profile matchup with the Bulldogs.

After a Paint Branch onside-kick attempt, Churchill had solid field position but was not able to score, and turned the ball over on downs after going for it on fourth down. After taking over the ball, there was a Panther fumble, which gave the Bulldogs good field position again as they took over the ball near the 50 yard line.

This time, the Bulldogs took advantage of the opportunity and drew first blood with Marquette Lewis receiving end 63 touchdown pass from Colin Smyth to take a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter. The first quarter was highlighted by strong defense by Churchill – especially their goal line defense – as they thwarted the Panthers twice from within the 10 yard line.

The second quarter was huge for the Panther D and running back Darryl Hill Jr., who rushed for three touchdowns in the quarter.  The defense denied any attempt the Bulldogs made to score, so the first half ended with a Panther lead at 21-7.

Quarterback Danon Davis-Cray got going in the second half and began to air the ball out to his receivers, including a touchdown pass to Fanta Fanta. After a blocked PAT, the Panther lead stood at 27-7.

The Bulldogs were able to answer the Panthers’ 27 points with a touchdown of their own cutting the Panther lead by 7. Hill Jr. didn’t stop after his big 2nd quarter, though, and broke out for a 57-yard run to score his fourth touchdown of the night and up the Panther lead to 33-14, which is how it stayed after a failed 2-point conversion attempt heading into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers’ formidable D is known as one of the best in the county, but the secondary had their issues on Friday, and Bulldog quarterback Colin Smyth was able to expose their weaknesses as he threw for 256 yards, an interception and 3 touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter.

After a Churchill 23-yard TD pass cut the PB lead to 33-21, Hill Jr. finised off his big night – and the Bulldogs’ – with a 10-yard touchdown run, for his fifth touchdown of the night.

The Bulldogs scored again with just about one minute left in the game.  The 2-point conversion cut the Panther lead to 10, but the Panthers recovered the Churchill onside kick attempt to seal the win and advance to 4-0.

The Panthers’ offense showed up Friday in Potomac with Hill Jr. leading the way with 176 rushing yards to go along with his 5 TDs. Davis-Cray threw for 281 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. The receiving corps was strong, as well, with JD Guerrero hauling in five receptions for 102 yards, Ryan Stango adding 4 catches for 56 yards and Fanta chipping in with 3 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers’ offense is finally picking up some speed and look to keep it going as they head into their Thursday night game against Einstein this week.