panthers pound green wave
Pomperaug scores on first five possessions

By Dan Farrand THE NEWS-TIMES
09.16.2007

NEW MILFORD -- Last year's 5-5 record has haunted the Pomperaug High football team since last November.

The Panthers, however, are determined to not suffer a similar frustration this year.

Just ask New Milford.

Pomperaug dominated New Milford on both sides of the ball in a 47-25 rout of the Green Wave in both teams' season and
South-West Conference openers at New Milford High School Saturday.

And when asked if Saturday's win helped alleviate some of the Panthers' frustration, Pomperaug
coach Chuck Drury couldn't help but smile.

"This certainly feels good," Drury said. "You can't ask for a better start to a season."

Pomperaug scored on its first five possessions and jumped out to a 40-0 lead by the second quarter behind a dominating
performance by both the offensive and defensive lines.

On offense, Panthers running backs Tim Miller and Mike Leonetti consistently got five to seven yards deep into the
New Milford defense before even being touched by a green jersey.

"The guys up front were getting a great push," Miller said. "They really controlled the game and made our job easy."

Miller finished with 99 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns. Leonetti rushed for
90 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns.

"Everyone was ready to go," Leonetti said. "There was a lot of intensity and enthusiasm on the field."

That was evident from the opening kickoff when Pomperaug's Geoffrey Rose decked
New Milford's Garon Scott on the return.

"That hit really woke everyone on our sideline up," Drury said. "Everyone was quiet and a little nervous,
but not after Geoff delivered that blow."

And while Rose's hit seemed to stir the Panthers, it apparently left the Green Wave dazed and confused.

New Milford managed just one first down until the final three minutes of the first half and did not get the ball on
Pomperaug's side of the field until just the 2:35 mark of the second quarter.

Green Wave quarterback Justin Ernst also threw two interceptions, further hampering New Milford's cause.

Pomperaug's Ben Crick picked off Ernst with just over four minutes left in the first quarter and returned it to the
New Milford 10-yard line, setting up one of Leonetti's three scores.

And just minutes into the second quarter, the Panthers' Patrick Reagan jumped an out route, made a
one-handed interception and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.

"We didn't do much on offense or special teams to help our defense," New Milford coach Chuck Lynch said. "This game is not indicative of
how we played in the preseason or how I think our season will go."

The Green Wave's new 3-4 defense struggled against the Panthers' powerful run offense and their spread
offense failed to move the ball consistently.

The Green Wave finally got on the scoreboard when Ernst found Rory Kennedy from 11 yards out with
just 46 seconds left in the second quarter.

Kevin Eherts provided one of the Green Wave's few highlights, stripping Crick and returning the fumble 52 yards for a score.

"We had a few mental breakdowns that really cost us," Lynch said. "We eliminate those and perhaps we have ourselves a game."

NOTES: Pomperaug has defeated New Milford the last 15 years, according to Lynch" The Panthers used to play the Green Wave in their
annual Thanksgiving Day rivalry game, but Pomperaug will now play new SWC foe Nonnewaug of neighboring Woodbury...
There were no penalties committed in the first half and only five called in the game (two on New Milford and three on Pomperaug)...
The Panthers also blocked a punt and an extra point in the game.