By Ed Muniz-Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
Football games can sometimes appear to be divided into two games. One half can produce absolutely nothing then the other can be completely different.
For the San Antonio 11U Panthers, a scoreless first half against Venom, also from San Antonio, was a “bend but don’t break” showing by each defense at the TYFA “Battle at the Border” football Championships in Mc Allen Texas.
Among the 48 teams participating on May 26-28 at McAllen Sports Park, these two teams battled each other, as defenses dominated play in their opening tournament game.
Venom had size and muscle while the Panthers showed speed and power. Each countered the others strength as offense struggled to figure out the opposing defense the first two quarters.
Opening the game, Venom used a running attack that featured running-back Ashton Turner. The shifty slashing runner used his vision to grab a quick 18-yards to open the game.
Along with the tackling of Jayden Martinez, Brandon Baltazar, Oliver Kelly and Isaac Ellis, the Panthers countered Turner and teammates, but penalties also stifled Venoms first offense effort as the first quarter ended.
After being unable to advance the ball further than midfield, Venom gave up the ball on downs. The second quarter saw the Panthers try their offensive skills against a large defensive Venom line.
The rushing of D’Mitri Esqueda and David Morin did add some yards for the Panthers attack, but they too had penalties creep into their successes and kept them at where they started after nine attempts.
Also adding to the Panthers offensive difficulties was the tackling of Venom’s Brandon Guidino, Axton Diggins, Turner, Dylan Guidino, and a sack by Zachary Biah that lost 5-yards.
Venom quarterback Damoni Wilson did get another chance to lead his team downfield but struggle with the heavy rush quickly upon him. Twice Oliver Kelly was on hm quickly grabbing two tackles for losses of three and seven yards including a sack.
Oliver was relentless as he kept the pressure on, even deflecting a Wilson pass just before halftime. Also chipping in with tackles for the Panthers was Morin but he did grab a facemask on one which didn’t do much damage to the team defense.
Opening the second half, it took the Panthers just one play to jump on the scoreboard. Oliver Kelly doesn’t just do his best work on defense, he asked for a turn in the backfield and made the most of it, taking a handoff and streaking down the far sideline, going 41-yards untouched for the touchdown.
“I just recently started practicing about a week or two ago,” said the standout, Kelly. Using his long strides, he grabbed yard-after-yard, easily out pacing his venom pursuers.
“It gives me extra yards and I can reach out farther. Running the ball was ok. It gives me more confidence. The blocking and execution worked well on that play. The whole offensive line played well today.”
After the score by the Panthers, Venom tried their best to counter and return the favor. Turner took off on a 20-yard jaunt, dipping and picking the right cut. After three more consecutive runs by Turner tallying just a lone yard due to the tackling of Panther trio of Oliver Kelly, Morin and Francisco Franco. A fourth down effort was coughed up but was recovered forcing a turnover on downs.
The Panthers extended their lead shortly after the stop. The bashing running style of David Morin would be key on their second touchdown drive culminating in Morin’s 6-yard touchdown bashing into the endzone.
“I like running the way I do creating holes, it helps me gain more yards for the team,” said the human cannonball runner. “I like running the tough yards, it’s for my coaches and my lineman teammates. They help me, I help them.”
Morin’s only fault according to him was doing better filling the gaps, otherwise he was stellar.
Also adding to the Panthers yard tally was Dimitri Esqueda. He broke free on a 44-yard run and looked like a sure-in to score as the chase was on, but was run down and tackled by Turner, 6-yards short of the touchdown, setting up the eventual score one play later.
“I was running and thought no one was going to get me but at the end, he got me, but at least I made some yards,” said the diminutive Franco.
Picking up tackles for Venom was Thomas jones with Turner grabbing three straight solos himself.
Up 12-0, Venom needed to score quick to get back in the game but limited on time and the continued tackling of Oliver Kelly, Isaac Cruz, Khavin Larden and Francisco Franco, their last efforts were snuffed out, securing the win for the Panthers.
Franco turned up the heat playing defense. He was assisting or making the tackle on several plays, giving fits to the Venom runners.
“I was using my hands to get around the blockers,’ said Franco. “I like hearing my teammates yelling Frankie, it gives me motivation to go harder in the game. I prefer playing defense because I like making tackles, but I also play offense too.”
Venom’s star was Ashton Turner. His ability to avoid tackles and add yards offensively along with grabbing several tackles showed the talent player he is. At any time, he may make a big play and flip the script from both sides of the ball.
“I thought I did good and bad at the same time,” said Turner. “I don’t think I was doing enough for us. The decent runs didn’t win the game for us. We communicated pretty good, but we need to work as a team and work on blocking and fundamentals. Our O-line struggled some today.”
Venom Coach Rob Stitham added; “We came out slow, we didn’t give up in the end, but we came out slow. We got to start 100%, a hundred miles an hour next game. I think Jitters affected us, for a lot of these kids it’s their first playoff game. Glad we got it our of the way, now we will be ready.”
Other Venom players giving their all, included Jeremiah White Hendricks, Ja’Kaydin and Peydin Luckett, Rohan Koltowski, Ayden Martinez, William Marcus, Tristan Davis, Amir Hillery, Thomas Hunt, Cameron Moses, Teron Bates, Michael Sansoci, Axton Diggins, DaQuan Dailey, Zavion and Zayden Zimmerman, Jesse García, Kooper Degiorgio, Ramiro Montez, Landon Reimers, Donnell and Jacob Thomas and Jayden Castillo.
Coach Tank Ellis said about his Panther players; “I told our kids at halftime no atter where we start its always zero-zero. I told them it’s now or never; we got to perform or go home. Oliver Kelly isn’t a secret weapon, he wanted to give running the ball a try, he hadn’t tried it before, he tried it and liked it. Everybody in this game stayed down to earth and executed. I thought the whole team stood out, that was a good team we beat.” Other Panthers contributing in the win were Braelyn Brown, Will Forehead, Jaiden Martinez, Liam Chowaniec, Reilly Kendzor, Noah Rocha, Mason Moreno, Brandon Guy, Corbin Rivera, Todd Ingram, Christian Tennant, Jordan Garcia, Jake Mayfield, Jordan Truong, Prince Gilmette, Clay Flores and Ellison Kelly.
