By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
LINWOOD — The Linwood Panthers junior varsity team recently completed a perfect season, ending in its second-straight victory in the National Conference Championship of the Atlantic County Junior Football League.
The Panthers, made up of 26 boys from Linwood in fifth and sixth grades, defeated the Absecon Blue Devils 8-7 on Nov. 21 at All Wars Memorial Park in Linwood.
The team went 8-0, winning six regular-season games and two playoff games.
“This season was special for many reasons, including the pandemic, but the support of the Panther family truly made it special,” head coach Kevin LaMonaca stated in an email. “Our cheerleaders were with us every step of the way and provided an enthusiasm unlike any other team.”
LaMonaca said the board members and volunteers “elevated us to one of the best organizations in the league.”
“Our taxi, peewee and varsity teams all had great seasons as well and pushed the JV to try even harder,” he said.
“The championship game was certainly our biggest test. Our undersized linemen fought on every play against a much larger opponent and our defense was absolutely stellar. Our quarterback and running backs were electrifying, as they were all season.”
LaMonaca said the team got contributions from many different players on what turned out to be the biggest play of the season. Down 7-6, the Panthers lined up for a kick that would put them on top.
“A kick through the uprights at this level is worth 2 points and rarely occurs,” LaMonaca said, noting they had practiced it for a few weeks and it required contributions from all 11 players on the field.
“The linemen and backs blocked for it perfectly, the center snapped it to the holder perfectly, the holder caught it and placed it perfectly and the kick soared through the uprights perfectly as the fans roared with excitement,” LaMonaca said. “The JV team carried that momentum into the second half and never let up another score, holding on for an 8-7 victory.”