Forreston can’t keep up with Lena-Winslow in 1A second-round playoff loss

FORRESTON – With the numbers of Lena-Winslow’s all-white uniforms hard to distinguish, the Forreston PA announcer one time called that a tackle was made “by most of the Panthers.”

In a 38-8 second-round win in the 1A playoffs over the Cardinals on Saturday night, that summed up the complete dominance Le-Win had.

Forreston’s offense, which produced 319 yards in a 22-20 win over Le-Win two weeks ago, fell 200 yards short of that mark in this one, with the Panthers’ defense gobbling up any attempt at rushing. Previously, Forreston was 11-for-18 in third down conversion; this time, it was only 2-for-8.

“I certainly didn’t expect this,” Le-Win coach Ric Arand said. “We hit some big plays against them. That doesn’t happen very much to these guys.”

Those big plays began in the second quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run by Marey Roby. It came one play after a 50-yard score by Roby was called back for a holding penalty. That gave the Panthers a 16-0 lead.

Then on Forreston’s next play from scrimmage, Jacob Fiorello took a toss and was tackled for a 5-yard loss by Roby. Two plays later, a blitzing Ethan Fye forced a fumble as QB Logan Dyson was attempting to pass. The Cardinal coaching staff vehemently stated their case to officials that it was an incomplete pass because Dyson’s arm was moving forward, but the controversial call stood.

With Le-Win taking over at the 34-yard line, Roby made it 24-0 on a 10-yard run, and Forreston’s offense continued to sputter into halftime.

“From the start, you could tell they had a different mindset,” said Forreston coach Keynon Janicke, in explaining the difference in Le-Win from two weeks ago. “They were all over the ball and aggressive.”

The second half started just as badly for the Cardinals, as Roby returned the kickoff to midfield and another 15 yards was tacked on for a late hit, giving Le-Win possession at the Forreston 34-yard line.

Noah Johnson and Devonte King-Black came up with tackles for losses, but on third down, Le-Win QB Luke Benson found Jace Flynn on a 32-yard pass. Three plays later, it was the three-year starter Benson going in for a 1-yard score.

Roby put the game away later in the third quarter with a 23-yard touchdown run for a 38-0 advantage.

“We were superb on the offensive line,” Arand said. “And our run defense was absolutely incredible.”

With Arand resting his starters, Forreston was able to march down for a late touchdown. Dyson and Fiorello connected on a scoring pass, with Cole Becker grabbing the PAT pass.

Actually, the game didn’t start too badly for Forreston, with Johnson bursting 8 yards up the middle on the opening play. But the Panthers still forced a three-and-out.

The Cardinal defense got the ball back for its offense with a stop on fourth down at its own 36-yard line.

“We were ready and prepared,” Janicke said. “We had three great practices this week.”

Forreston mustered one first down before punting the ball back. From that point forward, it was all Le-Win, as Roby had five straight carries, culminating with the game’s first touchdown on a sweep.

“If he gets outside of us and we don’t wrap and tackle, he’s gone,” Janicke said.

Forreston closes out the year at 8-3, while Le-Win (9-2) hosts Fulton (9-2) – another NUIC mate – in another rematch. In Week 5, defending 1A state champ Le-Win defeated the Steamers 54-7.