Pittsford head coach Keith Molinich can’t help but smile when you ask him about his defense. That isn’t likely to change following the Panthers latest performance.
Pittsford recorded a near flawless performance as they defeated Fairport 33-0 on Saturday at St. John Fisher. The Panthers improved to 4-1 overall and 4-1 in Monroe County Division I games, while the Red Raiders dropped to 2-3 and 1-3.
It was the second time this season Pittsford has recorded a shut out and third time they have surrendered 10 points or less.
“The kids took care of the dive option, because we know (Fairport) runs it great,” said Keith Molinich, Panthers head coach. “We talked to our kids about playing with discipline. Everyone took care of their job.”
The Red Raiders had only three possessions in the first half. Two ended when they failed to convert on fourth down, and the team’s third possession featured only two plays as the clock ran out before halftime.
Pittsford linebacker Ben Kroll intercepted Fairport quarterback Kevin Vaughn on the third play from scrimmage of the second half. Panther defensive back Nathan Fogal then recorded an interception on the first play of the Red Raiders next drive.
When the Fairport offense returned to the field, they were down 26-0, and the game was essentially over.
“We tackled well and we made sure we didn’t give them any chances,” said Kroll, who finished with nine tackles. “We kept them from making big plays and we made sure to limit their drives. We played great group defense.”
Pittsford left no mystery as to what they were trying to do in Saturday’s game. Nick Barclay’s three-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game capped a 12-play, 6-minute and 17 second possession that featured all rushing plays.
The Panthers took a 13-0 lead into halftime thanks to Barclay’s second touchdown run, a one-yard dive with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter. Pittsford’s second scoring drive chewed 5 minutes and 59 seconds off the clock.
Senior Glynn Molinich led the Panthers with 151 yards rushing on 24 carries.
“It’s always a great competitiveness between us and Fairport, and tonight it was an exciting atmosphere,” Barclay said. “It was great for us to win.”
The Panther offense took advantage of their defenses strong play in the second half.
Kroll’s interception set up the team’s third touchdown, a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Henry Hoffend to Matt Sullivan. Fogal’s interception gave Pittsford the ball on the Fairport 25 and Hoffend connected with Mac Atkins for a touchdown pass on the opening play of the next series.
Danny Page, who rushed for 68 yards, capped the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter.
“We have a lot of kids that gave up everything else to be in the weight room in the offseason, and that physicality paid off tonight,” Molinich said.
Pittsford head coach Keith Molinich can’t help but smile when you ask him about his defense. That isn’t likely to change following the Panthers latest performance.
Pittsford recorded a near flawless performance as they defeated Fairport 33-0 on Saturday at St. John Fisher. The Panthers improved to 4-1 overall and 4-1 in Monroe County Division I games, while the Red Raiders dropped to 2-3 and 1-3.
It was the second time this season Pittsford has recorded a shut out and third time they have surrendered 10 points or less.
“The kids took care of the dive option, because we know (Fairport) runs it great,” said Keith Molinich, Panthers head coach. “We talked to our kids about playing with discipline. Everyone took care of their job.”
The Red Raiders had only three possessions in the first half. Two ended when they failed to convert on fourth down, and the team’s third possession featured only two plays as the clock ran out before halftime.
Pittsford linebacker Ben Kroll intercepted Fairport quarterback Kevin Vaughn on the third play from scrimmage of the second half. Panther defensive back Nathan Fogal then recorded an interception on the first play of the Red Raiders next drive.
When the Fairport offense returned to the field, they were down 26-0, and the game was essentially over.
“We tackled well and we made sure we didn’t give them any chances,” said Kroll, who finished with nine tackles. “We kept them from making big plays and we made sure to limit their drives. We played great group defense.”
Pittsford left no mystery as to what they were trying to do in Saturday’s game. Nick Barclay’s three-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game capped a 12-play, 6-minute and 17 second possession that featured all rushing plays.
The Panthers took a 13-0 lead into halftime thanks to Barclay’s second touchdown run, a one-yard dive with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter. Pittsford’s second scoring drive chewed 5 minutes and 59 seconds off the clock.
Senior Glynn Molinich led the Panthers with 151 yards rushing on 24 carries.
“It’s always a great competitiveness between us and Fairport, and tonight it was an exciting atmosphere,” Barclay said. “It was great for us to win.”
The Panther offense took advantage of their defenses strong play in the second half.
Kroll’s interception set up the team’s third touchdown, a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Henry Hoffend to Matt Sullivan. Fogal’s interception gave Pittsford the ball on the Fairport 25 and Hoffend connected with Mac Atkins for a touchdown pass on the opening play of the next series.
Danny Page, who rushed for 68 yards, capped the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter.
“We have a lot of kids that gave up everything else to be in the weight room in the offseason, and that physicality paid off tonight,” Molinich said.
