The Stockbridge Panthers began their football season with a show of force, shutting out the Springport Spartans with a decisive 38-0 win last Friday at Springport High School. While the offense scored at will, the defense was a wall that Springport could not penetrate, continuing a trend of strong defensive performances from last year.
Standout Performances
Offensively, Senior quarterback J. Rogozinski led the way with 159 passing yards on a 39.1% completion rate and threw 2 touchdowns. The ground game was equally potent, totaling 153 rushing yards. Drew Robinson, also a senior, was the star of the show, accumulating 216 total yards (115 rushing, 101 receiving) and accounting for 4 touchdowns (2 rushing and 2 receiving).
Defensively, Stockbridge stymied the Springport offense, allowing just 42 total yards. The defense made 29 total tackles, with Senior Gary Killinger leading the charge with 6 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss. Zach Fletcher added a sack and Brock Rochow and Zac Rogozinski picked up 2 and 1 interceptions respectively.
Special Teams were also a highlight for the Panthers. Senior Joey Ballagh was perfect on PATs, going 5-for-5 and also nailing a 22-yard field goal.
MHSAA GAME BROADCAST INFO:
2023 Regular Season, MHSAA Non-League Game
Stockbridge Panthers vs Leslie Blackhawks
Date: August 31st | Time: 7:00pm EST
Location: Blackhawk Stadium – Leslie, Michigan
Stream: NFHS Network | Radio: N/A
Announcers: N/A
This intense and longstanding football rivalry between Stockbridge and Leslie is often considered one of the oldest in the state, dating back to 1910. It’s deeply ingrained in the communities of these small towns, each with populations under 2,000. For residents, a win in this rivalry is a point of pride, regardless of either team’s overall record.
The rivalry extends beyond the field, impacting the local communities at large. People in these towns, whether football fans or not, are keenly aware of the rivalry and its significance. There’s also a traveling trophy, originally created by Leslie’s team in the mid-’90s, that goes to the winning school each year.
Stockbridge has won the last three matchups, but both sides are eager for the next game, where the tensions are expected to run high as always. Over the past 24 years, Stockbridge has only beaten Leslie 7 times, but given their recent form, they may have a solid chance to improve that record.
For Stockbridge to win, they’ll need continued defensive dominance. If they can maintain their level of tenacity, Leslie will have a hard time finding the end zone. Secondly, the Panthers boast a diverse offensive attack led by dual-threat players like senior Drew Robinson. His versatility allows Stockbridge to keep Leslie’s defense on their heels.
The Stockbridge High School Panthers football team is eagerly preparing for their upcoming season. Can they top their notable success last season? 🏈👏#Football #Jackson #Lansing #Michigan #Panthers #Sports #Stockbridgehttps://t.co/xU47A6eG9D
— Midwest Sports Network (@MWSNsports) August 8, 2023
Special teams could be the unsung hero in this match-up. Senior Joey Ballagh’s Week 1 performance showed that he could be a game-changer, not only in securing extra points but also in the kicking game, which can significantly influence field position. In what promises to be a hard-fought contest, these aspects of the game could make all the difference.
Fans of high school football are in for a treat this Friday night.
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