PAX Football is State Bound!

By: Hailie Mundey

After winning states last year, going against Dunbar… Patuxent football is going to states once again! This Saturday, December 5^th  at 12pm, the Panthers are back at it playing the Fort Hill Sentinels. It’s going to be a close game with Fort Hill being 9-3 and our very own Panthers also being 9-3.

                Through hard work, and so many hours of practice, the Panthers made it through the first two rounds of playoffs like a breeze. In round one, they demolished the Washington Jaguars with the score being 48-0, making it to quarterfinals. In quarterfinals, they destroyed the Allegany Campers with a score of 42-0.

Patuxent Football after winning against the Boonsboro Warriors, 35-27.

                Semifinals was a close game between the Panthers and the Boonsboro Warriors. At the end of the first quarter, they were tied 7-7 and by halftime, the Warriors were up, 13-7. But PAX wouldn’t give up. By the end of third quarter, the Panthers were up 21-19. All the hard work came down to this last quarter. Patuxent worked hard and stayed strong for the score to be 35-27 with the Patuxent Panthers taking the win and returning to the State Championship!

                Making it to states is not an easy task, and states itself is a whole new challenge.  Coach Crounse (OG) and all the other coaches are working hard to make sure the boys are ready.

“Coming into the season, we knew we had to replace 24 seniors from an undefeated 2024 campaign and State Championship.” explained Crounse, “We were counting on a lot of guys who didn't have a ton of game experience, so our season was a product of all of those guys growing up together.  I am extremely proud of the effort and dedication of this team.  We are empowered by the tradition we have forged here at Patuxent.  No one wants to let that History fade on their watch.  For us to return to Annapolis is a true testament to our players, coaches, and school.  It is a direct byproduct of the training in the off-season and a commitment to excellence on the football field. So, we will attack it with everything we have, and represent this school and community with all of our hearts on every play.”

                The boys are also preparing as the game gets near. “We have been preparing for states by locking in, doing our assignments on the field, and making sure we are prepared to take down Fort Hill” says Jaziah Jones, an outside linebacker on the team.

                Now, as the Panthers are getting closer to states, they need all the support at the game to beat 4-year reigning state champions of the 1a division, Fort Hill Sentinels So, show out for this showdown at the Navy Stadium this Saturday at 12pm to support your very own Patuxent Panthers!