Week 11 of the Digicel Premier League saw something different – the Burger King Panthers received their first loss of the season, against the Lone Star Mustangs.
The game’s start was in pouring rain at the Ed Bush stadium in West Bay. Visibility was low and balls were slippery as both teams started off running the ball considerably.
Thankfully, it cleared halfway through the first half. Starting someone different in the quarterback position, the Lone Star Mustangs handed Chris Spigner the game ball.
Known for his arm and speed, Spigner is noticeably seen in the receiver spot or on defense on safety. Although new to some fans, the Panthers were fully aware of his QB abilities and knew it wouldn’t be easy.
The game went back and forth with each team moving the ball down the field but unable to score.
The Panthers, however, had more options to score, but were unable to follow through. In addition, David Taylor, who is normally precise for the Panthers with completing field goals, missed two.
The score remained 0-0 until very late on. Despite throwing two interceptions, both caught by Panthers’ Andrew Frederick, Spigner ran a ball into the end zone from a few yards away for the Mustangs.
The Panthers had too little time to respond and it was a 7-0 Mustangs victory. The Panthers remain the No. 1 seed of the men’s division and they have a bye this week.
The Mustangs however, face off against the KPMG Sharks.
Dolphins captain Shawn Pitterson has done an exceptional job in recruiting new faces to the league.
Despite having a rough season, which is something new to them, the Maples Dolphins are held in high regard.
The Dolphins started Chris Lebeau as QB instead of Demetri Chambers.
Lebeau did a great job of finding his players in open slots, twice latching onto Fabio Gall who posted two receiving touchdowns.
KPMG came back through veteran Luigi Moxam who completed 70 percent of his passes.
Defensively, Reshaun Wright stood out for the Sharks, who is a senior player for the youth league who has ventured up the ranks this year.
Brad Connolly and Jeff White, two more vets, each recorded a number of solo tackles.
The Dolphins’ Ceylron Powell managed to sack Moxam three times and create pressure on the Sharks.
In a sizzling match, the Dolphins, who were also playing great defensively and having a number of players covering the field, fell to the Sharks in overtime 19-13.
During the first women’s games of the day, the Lady Sharks defeated Star Athletic 22-0.
Plagued with a number of players missing due to returning to overseas for their studies, Star Athletic was severely depleted.
The Lady Sharks got an early touchdown, caught by Serena Yates, but the score stayed the same for a while after that.
The Star ladies applied pressure but the Lady Sharks added two more touchdowns for a comfortable win.
The Zulu Warriors faced off against the Caledonian Killa B’zzz, who are fighting to secure a playoff spot. Battling back and forth, both teams moved the ball effectively, but were unable to score.
Defense stood out for each team, as the score remained 0-0. Both QBs threw two interceptions a piece along with completing more than half of their passes.
Marleena Smith and Anna Nyaundi would be Ellen Downey’s favorite receivers as she tried to get B’zzz on the scoreboard.
Defensively Kathy Miller stood out as she covered a lot of ground and recorded a number of tackles, all in all doing her part to keep the Warriors scoreless.
In addition to the threat of Miller, three players sacked Dionne Whittaker, once a Warriors player.
Veteran Whittaker understood the need of remaining calm in a tense situation and did her best to play through the pressure. Overtime was needed and Whittaker found Renee Chisholm to secure a 6-0 victory.
With no reason to hang their heads, the Killa B’zzz fought hard and left it all on the field.
The Killa-Panthers played Anytime Fitness Wolverines and the Scorpions faced off against the Domino’s Lynx, who are sitting in first place in the women’s division.
Losing to the Lynx in their first match-ups, the Scorpions were determined to correct mistakes they made in the past.
In addition, due to currently sitting in sixth place, the Scorpions knew a victory was needed for a spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Keisha Solomon led the Lynx pack for most of the game.
Despite completing 60 percent of her passing, Solomon also threw three interceptions that helped the Scorpions obtain great field position in key times.
Christsania McLean as Solomon’s main receiver as she recorded five receptions. Jessica Pawlik, QB for the Scorpions, felt the pressure of the Lynx’s rushers throughout the game as she was sacked three times.
Lilia Connoly nabbed two of Pawlik’s balls out of the air for interceptions and added pressure on the Scorpions.
Recording six receptions apiece, Cassandra Bodden and Kara Rankine stood out on offense for the Scorpions.
Rankine put the Scorpions on the board as one of her receptions was also be a receiving touchdown.
Late in the game, Anya Edun was the Lynx QB but fumbled the ball in the end zone resulting in a safety and adding to the Scorpions points.
Despite the loss, the Lynx remain No. 1 and this weekend face off against the Lady Sharks.
The Wolverines and the Killa-Panthers could be heard from any place on the field. Going into half time with a Killa-Panthers lead of 12-2, the Wolverines were determined not to give up.
A sack that resulted in a safety by Agueda Blake was the Wolverines’ only score at half time, but in the end would be the difference in the game. In the second half, the Wolverines scored three touchdowns, including two from Renee Thompson.
The Killa-Panthers added another touchdown to their count and Christina Hefner continued to find her players in open slots on the field.
Wolverines won 20-18. This weekend the Killa Panthers face off against the Zulu Warriors.
The Cox Colts played the Island Heritage Predators. Cox, who are fighting for a playoff spot, played hard.
Plagued by a few players away, the Colts felt the difference in their lineup, but nonetheless effectively executed plays and applied pressure on defense.
Jordan Stubblefield, QB for the Predators completed 13 out of 17 passes and showed off his quick release throw that has been a talking point all season.
His favorite receiver was Will Peguero who had five receptions. Stubblefield felt the Colts pressure and was sacked once.
QB for the Colts, Richard Campbell, found Raheem Robinson for their lone touchdown.
Robinson who is known for his speed, jumping ability and great hands, was in brilliant form. The Predators however won 14-6.
This weekend the Colts play the Maples Dolphins and the Predators face the DMS Hellcats, who won this fixture last time.
The Warriors face off against the AndroGroup Killa-Panthers and the Killa B’zzz face off against the Crossfit 7 Mile Scorpions.
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