Panthers falter in biggest game of year

BRADENTON — The drive was the epitome of Bradenton Christian’s afternoon. The Panthers had a first-and-goal at Evangelical Christian’s 1-yard line late in the game.

And four plays later, BCS turned the ball over on downs at the 5.

The Panthers’ performance in their biggest game of the season was made up of an inept running game, missed tackles and dropped passes.

In the end, the Panthers fell to the Sentinels 28-7 in a pivotal Class 1B-District 6 contest Friday.

With the loss, BCS most likely will miss the playoffs, because Evangelical has a firm grip on second place in the district with one game left.

“I think the pressure was a big deal, and I think everyone over thought about it,” said Panthers senior running back David Schopfer, who finished with 21 yards rushing on nine carries. “We didn’t play as good as we could have, and they just stacked the box and wouldn’t let us get outside.”

With the Sentinels guarding against the run, the passing lanes were open, but BCS couldn’t capitalize.

The Panthers (7-2, 2-2) dropped seven passes.

BCS quarterbacks Sean McCarthy and Myles Braxton-Johnson still combined to throw for 151 yards and a touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, though, BCS’ defense was doomed by missed tackles.

Evangelical rushed for 327 yards on 44 carries.

Sentinels quarterback Colton Lynch led the way with 176 yards and a touchdown and passed for 85 yards and two scores. BCS allowed a 100-yard rusher for the second consecutive week.

“This was a big stage,” Panthers coach Allan Gerber said. “Evangelical has been on this stage and our young program hasn’t. This was a learning experience. I’m proud of my players and their effort.”

The Panthers lone score came when McCarthy hit Schopfer for a 32-yard-catch-and-run touchdown with three minutes left in the third quarter.

but the game was clearly out of reach.