This season the Panthers won their first regional championship since 1975 as they made a strong run through the 4A North Region en route to a state semi-final matchup against the Northwest Jaguars.  Despite strong play in the first half, the Panthers’ state championship run ended in defeat as they dropped a tough battle 55-36.  Northwest advanced to the state championship game where they defeated Suitland at M & T Bank Stadium.

The Panthers entered the state semi-final game with a gaudy record of 11-1, their only loss on the season coming against Northwest in week six where they lost a tough OT battle 38-35. This rematch would determine which team would represent Montgomery County in the state championship. However, the Panthers would have to pick up the win without star receiver Javonn Curry, who was out with a foot injury.

The first half of the game was a shootout.  While Northwest was flying early, the Panthers were able to answer and stayed the Jags step-for-step.  Both teams’ high-powered offenses were able to to move the ball and put up points, but with each team responding, neither squad was able to take control before halftime.  As the whistle sounded to end the half, the score stood at 35-29, Northwest, with a whole half to go.

The scoring slowed down in the second half, however, and the Jaguars managed to shut down the Panthers’ offense and only allowed them one touchdown.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, their defense was not able to stop Northwest quarterback Mark Pierce, who threw for a total of six touchdowns in the game, including two in the second half. Pierce also scored a one-yard rushing touchdown.  While the outcome of the game did not favor the Panthers, they were able to walk off their home field – a place where none of the players had every played before – with heads held high.

This year’s Panther football team, which finished 11-2, has to be considered the third best team in Panther history – sitting just behind the 1975 state championship team and the 1974 state runner-up squad.  This year’s offense was one of the best in the state, averaging 42 points a game.  The offense boasted one of the most explosive offensive players in the area in Curry, who broke Paint Branch’s single-season touchdown reception record and scored a total of 18 touchdowns. Curry also led the county in receiving yards with 1170 yards during the regular season and playoffs.

Quarterback Gaston Cooper also had an outstanding year. Cooper was a true dual threat, who showed the county how to put points on the board as he racked up 40 touchdowns with his arm, 22 with his legs and even chipped in with a receiving touchdown.  After the post-season, Cooper led the county in passing yards with 3,190.  One of Cooper’s best characteristics, though, was that he rarely turned the ball over as he threw only seven interceptions this season.

Even though the Panthers fell short of their ultimate goal of a state championship, the Panthers still had an amazing season.  The thirty-three seniors who leave the program will be missed after they graduate in May, but next year’s squad will look to build on this year’s stellar season.