Posted: Sept. 8, 2009 |(0) Comments

Greendale — They fell like dominoes.

First it was starting quarterback Ernie Valente, who took a helmet-to-helmet hit on the second play of the game and left with a concussion.

Three plays later, it was offensive lineman Jordan Campbell, who also suffered a concussion thought to be worse than Valente's.

Later that series, it was Andrew Brees, the Panthers' all-everything - wide receiver, defensive back, kicker, punter, backup quarterback - who made his way to the sideline with separated shoulder.

And then, on defense a few minutes later, Jordan Dominiak was chop blocked and injured his leg.

Within five minutes of the Greendale Panthers' narrow 16-9 home win over the New Berlin West Vikings on Friday, four key players were on the sidelines.

Stepping in and up

"It was shell shock," Greendale coach Rob Stoltz said. "I've never seen anything like that to that extent. But people responded the way they needed to respond. Guys stepped in and competed. That was a big question. We found out we definitely have a team."

Cordney Wren, a starting receiver opposite of Brees, filled in for Valente at quarterback and led Greendale on three scoring drives, including the first in the second quarter that he capped with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jo Jo Sardina. Backup kicker Brett Nethery knocked in the extra point to give Greendale a 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 34 seconds left in the first half.

Three minutes later, Greendale scored again on Luke Drumel's 9-yard run. The point-after attempt failed but Greendale led, 13-0.

New Berlin West trimmed the lead to 13-9 with a second-quarter touchdown pass from Dominique Bledsoe to Chad Mathwig and a 23-yard third-quarter field goal by Alex Cranfill.

Brees returned from his injury to kick a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put the Panthers up, 16-9, with 6:45 remaining.

Bledsoe overthrew Mathwig on a potential TD pass late in the fourth quarter.

"We missed probably four passes for touchdowns (Friday) and the last one we were driving the ball with under 3 minutes left," New Berlin West coach Jeff Grabo said. "Mathwig got loose behind their coverage and there wasn't anyone within 20 yards of him. He got lost and they let him go and, unfortunately, our quarterback overthrew him by inches and, of course, felt terrible about it."

Wren finished with 110 rushing yards on 26 carries, and Drumel had 87 yards on 10 touches for the Panthers, who were forced to play more conservatively because of the injuries.

Stoltz said defensive end James Wilson picked up the slack in place of Campbell, also a defensive lineman, and registered five tackles, including 3.5 for losses and half a sack.

"He's an unknown as far as the big-time recruits go," Stoltz said of the 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior. "But he made quite a statement. He's a beast. He had some flashes of dominance that I haven't seen for awhile, with the exception of (former Greendale star) Eric Brunner."

Healing factor

As for the injuries, Stoltz said Valente was probable for the Panthers' home game with St. Thomas More (0-2) at 7 p.m. Friday. Campbell and Brees are questionable. Dominiak returned after sitting out a few series against the Vikings.

"It helps that it's not the state championship next week, but Thomas More is no slouch," Stoltz said. "They have some kids that come off the ball and they have some talented kids. They have some all-conference caliber players."