For the first time in almost 20 years, the Little Miami Panthers knocked off the Kings Knights. October of 2009 was the last time Little Miami was victorious over the Knights, in a 34-31 final score. This past Friday night was the same feeling, as the Panthers came away with the hard fought 20-19 victory on the road, to reclaim the River Rivalry Oar trophy. This rivalry has been one sided since the Panthers joined the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in 2020. Since joining the ECC, the Knights had never tasted defeat to Little Miami.

As the season moved into the final month, teams are jockeying for playoff positioning and this was a signature win for the Panthers. Little Miami improved to 4-3 on the season and has been playing solid football over the last few weeks. Tough losses against Lebanon on the road and Winton Woods last week gave the Panthers plenty of motivation to get back in the win column.

With all of the hype surrounding this matchup, it was Little Miami who stormed ahead and was in control. The Panthers drove right down the field on the first drive which was capped off by Brayden Brown finding Carter Stewart for the touchdown.

After Kings fumble, the Panthers were in business and it in an instant it was 14-0 Little Miami. On 2nd and 9, Brown found receiver Owen Hoch on a deep ball, as Hoch got past the defender and housed it for an 82-yard touchdown.

Kings fumbled again on the ensuing possession giving Little Miami a chance to put an early dagger in the Knights. The Panthers were unable to capitalize offensively but traded punts with the Knights. Cade Wojnicz converted from 38 yards to give the Panthers the 17-0 lead in the second quarter.

After another Knights punt, Little Miami was driving down the field but the Kings defense stepped up in a big way. Sophomore defensive end Jaylon Jones sacked Brown for a big loss.

Shortly after the sack, Nathan Tucker intercepted Brown on a deep pass intended for Hoch.

On the next play, it was Jack Sills was intercepted by Panthers linebacker Carter Hainey giving the Panthers first and goal at the 9-yard line. The Panthers were unable to punch it in the endzone but Wojnicz put three on the board from 25 yards out. The Panthers took the 20-0 lead that stood until halftime.

The Knights came out a different team in the second half. The opening drive saw Oliver Young get the Knights on the board from 6-yards out.

The bad snap on the extra point cost Kings a chance to convert. The score was 20-6 with 8:54 left in the third quarter.

Little Miami got the ball back and proceeded to drive all the way down the field before Brown fumbled at the 1-yard line. Tyler Noble came away with the ball giving the Knights the ball back on the heels of their own endzone. Kings proceeded to drive all the way down the field, converting on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jack Sills. The ball was tipped and Knights receiver Jay Arrington was in the right place at the right time, catching the ball and walking into the endzone to give Kings a load of momentum, with just seconds left in the quarter.

After Kings kicker Kellen Foley converted the extra point, the score stood 20-13, Little Miami at the end of the third quarter.

The Panthers were unable to snatch the momentum away from Kings. The Knights defense stood strong, forcing Little Miami to punt. After a long run by Young to the Panthers 5-yard line, a bad snap forced a long field goal attempt from Foley.

The field goal attempt was no good and the Panthers were still up 7 in the fourth. After a holding penalty on the first play of the ensuing drive, the Panthers were unable to manage anything offensively. The Panthers were forced to punt, giving the Knights a chance to knot the game up at 20-20. The Knights offense did what they had to do as Oliver Young took one to the house from 25 yards out, making it 20-19.

The extra point try was no good and the Panthers were given another chance to salt the game away with 3:05 remaining. That is exactly what Little Miami was able to do. After a couple of first down conversions, the celebrations were ready and going on the Panthers sideline. The victory was big for the Panthers and their playoff hopes is Division 1, Region 4. As the Panthers playoff hopes improved, the Knights playoff hopes took a little hit. As the final month of the regular season moves on, the importance of each game intensifies.

Chris Asbrock is the owner, writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on Twitter  Follow @iamchrisasbrock and Follow @ISCincy

 

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