The Pittsford football team went back to basics to earn their third win of the season.
The Panthers used a strong ground game and a suffocating defense to defeat Penfield 35-14 in a Monroe County Division I on Saturday at Penfield. Pittsford overcame a mistake-filled first quarter that featured a turnover, a roughing the kicker penalty and a possession where they allowed two sacks.
The Panthers responded by scoring 28 points in the second quarter.
“We run the ball well, our double tight hammer and we just went to basics,” said Keith Molinich, Pittsford head coach. “We tried to do things, adjust things that we don’t do very well and we knew we had to get back to doing what we do well, which is running down hill.”
Glynn Molinich gave the Panthers offense the momentum they needed with a 21-yard touchdown run with 8:49 left in the second quarter. Molinich ran it in from two yards out on Pittsford’s next drive.
Molnich helped set up the team’s third touchdown, as a 49-yard run got the Panthers in the red zone. Quarterback Henry Hoffend connected with Matt Sullivan for a 15-yard touchdown to give Pittsford a 21-0 lead with 3:48 left in the first half.
Hoffend earned his second touchdown pass of the game when Austin Degrazia caught a 12-yard score.
“We just tried to do what we do best, which is run power and run straight down hill,” said Molinich, who finished with 168 yards rushing on 17 carries. “We wanted to try some different things but when we started off slow we wanted to get back to doing what we do best.”
Tommy Hessney finished off the scoring for Pittsford with a one-yard touchdown run on the team’s first possession of the third quarter.
The Panther defense continued their strong season, as they have surrendered only 43 points through the first four games of the season. Jake Paladino connected with Triloni Sanders for a 10-yard and 17-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter for the Patriots.
“We knew they were going to try and come out and assert their will and run the ball, and in the second quarter they really did that,” said Greg Geesler, Penfield head coach. “They are a well coached program, and that is somewhere we need to work to and get to down the line.”
The Patriots had opportunities in the first quarter to take control of the game, as Reagan Weaver recovered a fumble in Patriots territory. The Panthers forced a Penfield punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Patriots a first down. The drive stalled when Nick Kimmins missed a 29-yard field goal.
Penfield punted on their next four possessions.
“We stopped the run and forced them to pass, which plays into our hands,” said Mac Atkins, who had an interception to set up Pittsford’s final score. “Our coverage played really well, and they couldn’t get the ball down the field.”
The Pittsford football team went back to basics to earn their third win of the season.
The Panthers used a strong ground game and a suffocating defense to defeat Penfield 35-14 in a Monroe County Division I on Saturday at Penfield. Pittsford overcame a mistake-filled first quarter that featured a turnover, a roughing the kicker penalty and a possession where they allowed two sacks.
The Panthers responded by scoring 28 points in the second quarter.
“We run the ball well, our double tight hammer and we just went to basics,” said Keith Molinich, Pittsford head coach. “We tried to do things, adjust things that we don’t do very well and we knew we had to get back to doing what we do well, which is running down hill.”
Glynn Molinich gave the Panthers offense the momentum they needed with a 21-yard touchdown run with 8:49 left in the second quarter. Molinich ran it in from two yards out on Pittsford’s next drive.
Molnich helped set up the team’s third touchdown, as a 49-yard run got the Panthers in the red zone. Quarterback Henry Hoffend connected with Matt Sullivan for a 15-yard touchdown to give Pittsford a 21-0 lead with 3:48 left in the first half.
Hoffend earned his second touchdown pass of the game when Austin Degrazia caught a 12-yard score.
“We just tried to do what we do best, which is run power and run straight down hill,” said Molinich, who finished with 168 yards rushing on 17 carries. “We wanted to try some different things but when we started off slow we wanted to get back to doing what we do best.”
Tommy Hessney finished off the scoring for Pittsford with a one-yard touchdown run on the team’s first possession of the third quarter.
The Panther defense continued their strong season, as they have surrendered only 43 points through the first four games of the season. Jake Paladino connected with Triloni Sanders for a 10-yard and 17-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter for the Patriots.
“We knew they were going to try and come out and assert their will and run the ball, and in the second quarter they really did that,” said Greg Geesler, Penfield head coach. “They are a well coached program, and that is somewhere we need to work to and get to down the line.”
The Patriots had opportunities in the first quarter to take control of the game, as Reagan Weaver recovered a fumble in Patriots territory. The Panthers forced a Penfield punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Patriots a first down. The drive stalled when Nick Kimmins missed a 29-yard field goal.
Penfield punted on their next four possessions.
“We stopped the run and forced them to pass, which plays into our hands,” said Mac Atkins, who had an interception to set up Pittsford’s final score. “Our coverage played really well, and they couldn’t get the ball down the field.”
