The game of the week between the CD Panther, ranked #5 in the nation, and the Auburn Panthers sophomore teams turned out to be the game of the year. With both teams winning their league championships last season prior to joining NW Premier Junior Football Leagues this season — pride, respect and bragging rights were on the line for this much-anticipated regular-season matchup.
Auburn struck first as running back Christian Titialii scored on a 3-yard run to give Auburn a 6-0 lead, after an unsuccessful PAT, early in the first quarter. The play was set up by a 4th down pass from quarterback Baylen Erdmann to tight end Patrick Ensminger to give Auburn a first down at the CD 18.
CD struck back as running back Reylen Witherspoon broke loose on a 60-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 6-6 with 7:48 left in the half.
Erdmann kept moving the chains for Auburn and he put his passing game on display. Unfortunately, CD’s Kellen Hightower came up with a huge sack on 4th down to give the Panthers the ball and thwart any hopes of an Auburn scoring threat with 2:48 left in the half.
CD took full advantage of the turnover as quarterback Kaden Powers connected with Joey Thomas on a 4-yard pass to give CD a 13-6 halftime lead, after a successful PAT by Omarion Dean.
Third quarter miscues gave the momentum to Auburn as they recovered two fumbles deep in CD territory. The first fumble was recovered by Auburn on the first play of the 3rd quarter at the CD 35. CD’s defense was stout forcing Auburn to turn the ball over on downs. However, Auburn recovered a second fumble at the CD 18 to set up at 12-yard run by running back Elijah Carney to pull Auburn to within 1 point, 13-12, with 1:21 left in the 3rd quarter.
Not to be outdone, CD’s Omarion Dean scored on a 40-yard touchdown run with 5 seconds left in the quarter to give CD a 19-12 lead.
In the 4th quarter, Erdmann connected with his favorite target of the day, Ensminger, to give Auburn a first down at the CD 7. The play set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Titialii. The hard-running Carney scored the PAT to tie the game at 19-19.
CD took the ball and threw what seemed to be the knockout blow late in the 4th quarter. On a 4th and 11 play, Witherspoon scored his second touchdown of the day as he galloped away from the Auburn defenders on a 49-yard touchdown run. Powers then connected with Thomas on the PAT to give CD a 26-19 lead.
However, the Panthers from Auburn were not done yet, as they engineered a late game drive that saw Erdmann connect with Carney on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds left in the game to pull within one point, 26-25. However, CD’s Justice Shedd blew up the point after attempt and tackled the Auburn running back for a loss to preserve the win for CD.
Final score CD Panthers 26, Auburn Panthers 25.
“We knew it was going to be tough, they are a great team,” said Auburn Panthers head coach Tai Titialli after the game. “I’m proud of our team, I’m proud of both teams. It was a great game and I know we’ll see each other again in the playoffs.”
CD Panthers head coach Shawn Thomas was also proud of the way his team played in their first close contest of the season.
“We played a real good team today,” said Thomas. “They [Auburn] came out and they were ready to play but in the end our defense held up tough and we came away with a close win. I’ll take a close win over a loss any day.”
More photos from this game and other youth football action available at flixandpixnw.com
