Parma, OH – On Friday, September 19th the Elyria Catholic Panthers traveled to take on the Padua Bruins. Padua was coming off their first win of the season, in a blowout against Sandusky. For EC, they too were coming off their first win of their 2025 campaign. The Panthers were able to pick up a win against Vermillion in Week 4. Both teams hoped to build momentum following their first wins, but it would be the Panthers who came away with this one.
As the game got underway, neither the Bruins or Panthers could find much success on offense. While both teams were able to string together some successful drives, neither could find a way to get points on the board. This would continue to go on the entire first half. The Bruins had chances, such as a field goal attempt from Caleb Zolkowski in the second quarter, but it was blocked by the Panthers defensive front. So following a lackluster first half performance on offense for both teams, it was 0-0 going into the half.
Hoping for a better half, the Bruins offense took the field first in the second half. The drive would start slow until RB Chase Weizer broke off a phenomenal 60-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Following a Zolkowski PAT, the Bruins started the second half up 7-0. However, the Bruins wouldn’t hold the lead for long. The Panthers were able to drive down the field where EC WR Jazear Terry was left wide open in the end zone, setting up the Panthers for six. After the PAT, we were tied at 7-7.
The Bruins were unable to answer, punting the ball back to the Panthers late in the third quarter. Elyria Catholic was also unable to get anything going on this drive. As they lined up to punt with a minute left in the third, the Bruins blocked the punt, with Jose Caban returning it for a touchdown. Padua went up 14-7 following the score.
Neither team could get much going early in the fourth quarter. The Bruins held on strong to their seven-point advantage until late in the fourth. Eventually the Panthers were able to break through as Jazear Terry scored again for EC, this time rushing for a touchdown. Luckily for Padua, on the PAT, Brady Devore broke through the line to block the kick. With a 14-13 lead, and only a few minuted left, the Bruins were in prime position to coast to the finish line. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the case. On first down from their own 9-yard line, Landon Hanover threw a costly interception, giving the Panthers a chance to take the lead late in the game. EC took advantage, finding the end zone yet again, giving them a 21-14 lead with only a few minutes left in the game.
The Bruins drove down field, although a series of bad plays forced Padua to turn it over on downs. After a great stand from their defense, the Bruins got another chance to tie the game late. The Bruins offense couldn’t get into a rhythm as they tried to get down the field. With time running out, Hanover looked down field to a wide open Trey Gasparro in the end zone, but Gasparro couldn’t hold on. After the drop, the the Bruins struggled to get any other looks to the end zone. Time would run out for the Bruins, giving Elyria Catholic their second win on the season, taking them to 2-3 on the season. For the Bruins it was another disappointing defeat, as they’d move to 1-4 on the year.
Following the tough loss, I was unable to speak with any of the Bruins players as they were incredibly disappointed with the outcome of Friday’s game. The Bruins will be back in action on Friday, September 26th on the road against Big Walnut.
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