Gridiron juggernauts roll over Continentals Panther offense explodes for 45 points during seniors' final home game

Author: Jonathan Brand

After a close loss to the top-ranked team in the NESCAC last week, the Panthers could have lost focus and overlooked Hamilton - arguably one of the worst teams in the league. Fortunately, the team maintained its concentration and continued an impressive second half of the season, cruising to a 45-8 win over the Continentals in the 26th annual Rocking Chair Classic.

Middlebury (2-5) won their 10th straight game of this manufactured rivalry, which dates back to 1980, and for yet another year, the famed Rocking Chair will rest in the foyer of the Peterson Athletic Complex. The Panthers dominated the game with a stellar defensive effort, forcing two turnovers and blocking one punt, as Hamilton (1-6) managed only 137 yards of offense. "The defense was in control the whole time," said Head Coach Bob Ritter. "Our defense has been our strong point all year."

Middlebury (2-5) was led on defense by sophomore Eric Woodring, who was named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week after blocking his third punt of the year and recording eight tackles. "He's a great athlete," Ritter said of his emerging defensive talent. "He is one of those kids who plays every play. His motor is always going and he gives 100 percent all of the time."

Middlebury first score was set up in the first minute of the second quarter, courtesy of Woodring. He muscled his way through the offensive line and blocked the ball as it came off the foot of Continental punter Brandon Holstlag. As the ball deflected off of the ground at the Hamilton 29-yard line, Woodring scooped up the ball and sprinted towards the end zone only to fall just shy of the end zone."I blocked it, I saw it and picked it up," said Woodring, but I just tripped at the one [yard line]."

Junior runnning back Stefan Hrdina, who rushed for 25 yards, ran the ball in on the next play from scrimmage to break a scoreless tie and ignite the Panthers offense as they went on to score 24 points in the second quarter.

The offense operated smoothly against a Hamilton defense, ranked last in the NESCAC, accumulating 407 total yards and six touchdowns, the most they have scored all season. Junior quarterback Tiger Lyon had a solid game, completing seven of 15 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown.

But on senior day, both Lyon and Hrdina deferred to Dom DiDomenico '06, who despite being the leading rusher last season has been seldom used in this year's campaign. The senior excelled in his final home game, running for 107 yards and one touchdown. "We moved the ball well on the ground," Ritter said. "Dom and Hrdina ran hard."

DiDomenico also threw an 11-yard touchdown pass on the first offensive series of the third quarter, as he found senior Co-Captain Ryan Armstrong wide open in the end zone. "I didn't expect to use the play," DiDomenico admitted. "We just put [the play] in this week."

The Panthers offense has improved drastically in the second half of the season, which certainly improves their chances next week against Tufts, who fell at Colby last weekend 28-14. If the Panthers can come away victorious in Medford next weekend, they will have finished 3-1 over the second half of the season for the third year in a row. Although Tufts has fallen on hard times this season, having lost their last five games in a row, the team still senses that success will not be easy.

"We know Tufts has a great defense, but we've been playing awesome," said Woodring. "We have to prepare for an all out war, because I know it's going to be one."