Alan Kornspan
Believeland Media
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
The Gilmour Lancers traveled to Twinsburg High School on Friday night to take on the CVCA Royals in the OHSAA Region 9, Division III Regional Semi-final game.
The Lancers and Royals both scored three touchdowns in a back and forth first half to go into halftime tied at 21-21.
In the second half, the Lancers outscored the Royals, 14-7, to claim a 35-28 victory and advance to the OHSAA Region 9, Division III Regional Title Game.
Leading the Lancers to victory against the Royals was quarterback Cooper Panteck who was 17-25 for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns on the night.
In fact, in the first three games of the playoffs, Panteck is 46-72 for 788 yards and 8 touchdowns.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
After the game, Panteck talked about the Lancers victory.
“It was awesome, this was the most complete team game we’ve ever played,” said Panteck. “Our defense stepped up huge. Our offensive line was tremendous. I am so proud of our offensive line for the physicality they played with. The skill positions, the wide receivers, the running backs, everyone just made huge plays that they needed to, and I am just so blessed to be in the system that I am in.”
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Added senior wide receiver Lars Broberg, “We knew coming into the game that we were going to have to stop the run, and the defense stepped up in so many big ways.”
As Panteck and Broberg said, the Lancers made big plays throughout the game.
In fact, Gilmour got on the scoreboard first on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Panteck to senior tight end Brody Lennon with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
However, the 7-0 lead would not last long as CVCA junior running back Joey Kopec returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.
Photo Gallery
Both teams added two touchdowns in the second quarter. Gilmour scored on a 57-yard touchdown run by Nathan Lennon and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Panteck to senior Ohio State commit Brody Lennon. For the game, Brody Lennon caught four passes for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
The Lancers took a 35-21 second half lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Panteck to senior Sean Dillard and an 85-yard touchdown pass from Panteck to senior Lars Broberg.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Broberg led the Lancers receivers with 4 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.
The Royals added a late touchdown run by senior Ryan Wiehe to make the final score 35-28.
For the game, the Lancers amassed 530 yards of total offense (389 yards passing, 141 yards rushing). In addition, the Lancers defense only allowed 191 total yards (161 yards rushing, 30 yards passing).
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
With the victory, the Lancers advance to the Regional Title Game where they will face the Ursuline Fighting Irish on November 22 at Portage Community Bank Stadium Harry Gilchrist Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.