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Every thing that would go mistaken final Friday evening for Kingwood Park occurred.
The Panthers confronted adversity earlier than stepping on the sphere towards Crosby when the defensive bus broke down.
The Ok-Park protection would make it to Cougar Stadium, however then the Panthers discovered themselves down 15-0 after the primary quarter. They fought again, however trailed 22-17 at halftime.
“Once we went into halftime speaking about various things, they’d the look of their eye that they had been about to get this performed,” Kingwood Park coach Clayton Maple mentioned. “They don’t wish to let one another down. This group of children play so laborious for one another, and our senior management actually helps as nicely. It is a nice group of children they usually allow us to coach them, which is nice.”
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Ok-Park went on to defeat Crosby 49-42 to stay undefeated in district play. It was the primary time in historical past the Panthers defeated Crosby in 11 tries all-time.
It was a very candy victory given the Panthers had been outscored 122-30 by the Cougars the previous two seasons.
“All of the leaders on the staff and the coaches simply informed everybody that the sport isn’t over but,” left sort out Erick Zapata mentioned. “We knew that we hadn’t performed our greatest recreation but and nonetheless had one other half to exit and win the sport. You recognize final yr we thought that we’d be successful like this, however it didn’t occur. Everyone seems to be stronger, sooner and smarter so we really feel actual assured once we step on the sphere.”
Up subsequent for Ok-Park (4-1, 3-0) is La Porte (4-1,3-0), led by new coach Kevin Berneathy, in a matchup of District 8-5A Division I unbeatens at 7 p.m. Thursday at Turner Stadium.
Kingwood Park quarterback Patrick Overmyer, handing off to working again Brayden Moronko throughout Tuesday’s observe, has been a risk together with his arm and legs this season.
Eric Christian Smith/ContributorZapata is amongst a core group of seniors main Ok-Park this season.
Quarterback Patrick Overmyer is off to an important begin main the Panthers’ offense. The twin-threat QB is 57-of-105 for 809 yards with 10 touchdowns to at least one interception. On the bottom, he has 37 carries for 331 yards with seven TDs.
Fellow senior Pierce Richards, Overmyer’s favourite goal and shut buddy, has 33 receptions for 439 yards with six TDS.
They’re making an attempt to assist Ok-Park make the playoffs for the primary time since 2019. The Panthers, off to one of the best begin in class historical past in district play, by no means have by no means received an outright district title. In 2011, Ok-Park shared the District 18-4A title with Willis and Summer season Creek.
Maple credit the adversity his staff has confronted the previous two seasons to serving to the Panthers begin this season on a robust be aware.
“The expertise issue for our guys is what helps us probably the most,” Maple mentioned. “Their perception and confidence that they’ve constructed over the past couple of years helps us. Final season, we ended on a three-game successful streak, and we actually informed the blokes that we are able to begin this season identical to we ended final season. We have now a variety of good issues happening proper now, however we’re simply taking it one recreation and someday at a time.”
Zapata and the remainder of the seniors know that is the time to depart a legacy at Ok-Park. The seniors wish to be sure that the underclassmen understand how necessary it’s to be a Panther on the sphere, within the classroom and in the neighborhood.
“As seniors, we actually wish to set the tradition,” Zapata mentioned. “We wish to see these youthful guys proceed the custom of successful at Kingwood Park. Sooner or later, the blokes who’re behind us are going to have to guide once we’re gone, and we’ve to ensure they’re prepared when their time comes on the sphere to be a starter.”
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