Panthers open season strong
A late second-quarter burst and some sensational debuts helped the Greendale Panthers begin the 2009 football season with a convincing 38-14 nonconference home win over the Milwaukee Lutheran Red Knights on Thursday.
Junior quarterback Ernie Valente completed 14 of 25 passes for 179 yards and rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries in his varsity starting debut.
Junior running back Luke Drumel, also making his varsity starting debut, rushed 20 times for 145 yards and two scores.
Three of Greendale's touchdowns came in the final 3 minutes, 27 seconds of the first half.
Valente's 5-yard scamper with 3:27 erased a 7-3 Milwaukee Lutheran lead; Andrew Brees' extra-point gave Greendale a 10-7 lead.
Greendale's Bobby Mikorski intercepted the Red Knights' third play of the ensuing drive, setting up another quick score. Five plays and 29 yards later, Drumel punched it in from 5 yards out with 1:08 left.
The Panthers defense stepped up again, forcing a quick three-and-out that took only 41 seconds and gave Greendale the ball back at the Red Knights 37 with 27 seconds left. On the first play of the possession, Valente received a few key blocks and broke a few tackles to score from 37 yards out.
The Panthers began their 10-2 campaign of a year ago with a 57-21 rout of the Red Knights in the 2008 season opener.
Greendale (1-0) hosts the New Berlin West Vikings at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.
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