DC Metro Sports - 2007 High School Playoffs: The Potomac Panthers Advance to the Va State Finals

Written by Wendall Stevens
Monday, 03 December 2007
For the Hanover Hawks it was too much speed, too much explosiveness and too much athleticism to overcome from maybe the best group of playmakers in the state of Virginia. The Potomac Panthers defeated the Hanover Hawks 49-19 to advance to the Virginia AAA Division 5 State championship game against Stone Bridge December 8th at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. For the (13-0) Potomac Panthers it was the usual suspects in Mulku Kolokoh, Darius Brent, Abdul Kannah and sophomore quarterback DeAirius Thomas on offense. On defense it was the likes of George Bansah getting sacks, Teyon Pressley recovering fumbles, Kolokoh, Kannah and Brent picking off passes. On a chilly day at Chuck Coles Stadium in Dumfries, VA, the Panthers and head coach Tony Lilly took the next step in the march towards a state title after a disappointing loss last year to Phoebus in overtime. The story of the game was the Panther playmakers taking control right from the onset as they have all season and the defense stuffing the Hawks in crucial situations. After two holding penalties on the first drive, Darius Brent bolted 69 yards on an electrifying run around the left side of the Panther line whereby he made a cutback to eventually score the touchdown. Eric Dobratz converted the kick and the route was on. The score was 7-0 Potomac two minutes into the game. The Hawks big quarterback 6'5" 230 Josh Wells then led his team on their initial possession right down the field and scored on a 7 yard keeper. Hanover's female placekicker Rachel Moore's conversion was blocked by Mulku Kolokoh., leaving the score 7-6 Potomac. Panthers sophomore quarterback DeAirius Thomas who coach Tony Lilly predicts a great future, operated out of the shotgun and led a drive down the field culminating with him scoring a two yard touchdown on a keeper. A Dobratz conversion made the score 14-6 Potomac. Hanover started to get a drive going after being pinned down. Quarterback Josh Wells completed a 36 yard pass to Kirk Rohle. On the next play however, Panther safety Abdul Kannah intercepted his pass on the 35 yard line. On the next possession, Thomas completed a 65 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donald Vaughn. A Dobratz conversion made the score 21-6. Mulku Kolokoh scored on a 14 yard touchdown run after a 55 yard drive that featured a mixture of running and passing. A Dobratz conversion made the score 28-6 with 2:33 left in the first half. The Hawks managed to engineer a 52 yard drive before the half. The big play was a 43 yard pass to Jeremy Yourke with a make in first and 10 on the Panther 10. Wells took it in for the score on a keeper but again the conversion was blocked Early in the second half Mulku Kolokoh intercepted a pitch by Josh Wells and took it 58 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on 35-12. The Panthers senior linebacker Teyon Pressley recovered a fumble by Hanover running back Terrell Tinsley and ran it in 46 yards to increase the score 42-12 early in the fourth quarter. After Darius Brent intercepted Josh Wells, Mulku Kolokoh took the ensuing handoff around the left side for 72 yards to the Hanover two yard line. Kolokoh scored his third touchdown of the game from two yards out. The score was 49-12. Kolokoh would finish the game with 110 yards on 11 carries. Darius Brent rushed for 97 yards on 6 carries. The Hawks did manage a late fourth quarter touchdown drive led by the running of Terrell Tinsley and Josh Wells. Tinsley scored the Hawks final TD with a 3 yard plunge.Rachel Moore made the conversion. The final score was 49-12 Potomac. After the game, Coach Lilly addressed the team and told them to enjoy the moment. "Enjoy this” he said, but we have one more to go." Lilly also praised his team saying, "The playmakers on the field have been doing it from week one." During the game after things got a little chippy, he told them to “finish this thing with class and character." Lilly explained that he has yet to study Stoney Bride, the team’s next opponent, who earlier defeated Phoebus 38-24. Panther defensive stopper George Bansah felt "We didn't want that feeling of last year when we lost in the playoffs. We will be ready for next week." Panther linebacker Teyon Pressley, who scored on a fumble recovery said, "I'm glad we took it to the next level." Indeed, from all indications the state title game should be an exciting one. Log onto to www.dcmetrosports.com for a writeup on the Virgina state title game. For high school football images go to www.dcmetrosports.com/prepsportgallery

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