Hohenfels prevails in Division III
title matchup of unbeaten teams
By Rick Emert, Bamberg
bureau
Rick Emert / Stars and Stripes
Hohenfels' Michael Woods (5) prepares make the hit on London Central’s Thomas Holmes,
right. |
HOHENFELS, Germany — The London Central Bobcats and Hohenfels Tigers were both
undefeated going into Saturday’s DODDS-Europe Division III football championship.
That meant that after 48 minutes, one of the two high school teams would experience
defeat for the first time all year.
After a 24-6 Hohenfels victory, it was London Central that would experience its first
loss in a remarkable season.
The game’s second half could be summed up in two words: James Panui.
It seemed that if quarterback Robin Hair didn’t have the ball for the Tigers,
Panui was running with it. Panui scored two of his three touchdowns in the half and
intercepted a pass from Bobcats quarterback Mike Clark with 1 minutes, 25 seconds left in
the game. Tiger Vedrick Street scored the final touchdown of the game.
"The Tigers drove ‘Panui Street’ to the championship," quipped an
excited Street after the game.
London Central saw some rejuvenation in the fourth when Bobcat Cole Shaffer intercepted
a pass from Hair in the end zone. But the possession ended in a fumble that was recovered
by the Tigers.
Both of Panui’s touchdowns in the second half came off of Bobcat fumbles.
"We had a couple of very big mistakes in the second half," said London
assistant coach Cliff Booth.
The first half was all defense, and it appeared to be anybody’s game.
Hohenfels struck first as Panui scored on a long punt return with five minutes left in
the half. The Tigers’ two-point conversion try failed.
Rick Emert / Stars and Stripes
The Hohenfels Tigers celebrate their victory. |
London Central retaliated on its next possession when Thomas Holmes scored on a short
run in the final minute of the half. A failed extra point attempt meant the half ended
with the teams tied at six.
"The first half was well-played, but we weren’t quite as ready in the second
half," added volunteer assistant coach Charles Shipp.
Booth said that, despite some game-turning mistakes in the second half, the Bobcats
gave the Tigers a run for their money.
"It was a hard hitting game, and Hohenfels is a hard-hitting team," Booth
said. "But, I think we hit just as hard. I’m very proud of our team."
Tigers coach Shawn Rodman agreed.
"They’re a very good, very physical, very quick team," he said.
He said his team fared well by playing the way it always does.
"It was the same old thing," he said. "We continued to do what
we’ve done all year, but we stepped up our defense."
In a ceremony after the game, Panui was named offensive player of the game, and the
Tigers’ Patrick Axon got the defensive player nod. Panui won defensive player honors
last year. This is his third and final season with Hohenfels.
"We just came out and played," Panui said. "Hohenfels has the kind of
football team that can play well under pressure."
Although his team lost the championship, an emotional Booth told his Bobcats in a
huddle after the game that they were not losers.
"No one in this school has ever been this far," he said. "We are
champions."
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