Jess Geller is Coach of the Year

Panthers 21 – Patriots 14

In a defensive struggle, the Panthers led at halftime 7-0 on the strength of a 15 play 91 yard drive that was capped off with a Young to Tremble 6 yard TD pass.  In the first half, combined, both teams missed 3 long FGs and punted 5 times.  The weather in Foxboro was a problem for the both offenses.  In addition, the dice was a problem for Coach Denis.
The second half did not start better for the Patriots as they went 3 and out.  After a short punt and decent return, the Panthers were in business at their 47 yard line.  It took them 15 plays to move 53 yards.  This drive included a Young interception by Dugger that was fumbled on the return.  The Panthers took advantage of the Dugger fumble with a Young to Hurst 2 yard TD pass.
With 7 minutes left in the third quarter, the Panthers looked completely in control.  In fact, the next series ended on 4th down at the NE 42.  The Panthers were in position to put this game away.  That did not happen as a quick 3 and out resulted in a punt and the Patriots having the ball at their 20 yard line.  The drive of the game for NE was to come.  Mixing runs and flat passes and successfully converting 2 4th downs, the Patriots were at the Panthers 8 yard line facing yet another 4th down, 4th and 6.  Jones tossed a clutch 8 yard TD pass to Bourne and just like that, we had a ball game with 10:48 left in the game.  14-7.
The Panthers managed 2 first downs on the next drive but were forced to punt.  Patriots took over at their 27 yard line with 6:54 left in the game.  At the Panthers 46 yard line, Stevenson ran off tackle and with the benefit of snake eyes roll and wrong guess, ran into the end zone tying the score at 14.  Just like that, the Panthers lead evaporated!
On the next drive, the Panthers struggled to move the ball and had to punt again at the 2:40 mark.  Then came the turning point of the game.  The Patriots punt return, Bryant, decided to field the ball at the 8 yard line and unfortunately for the Patriots fumbled the ball.  After a big scramble, the refs pulled out the players and determined the Panthers recovered at the 2 yard line.  After 2 runs up the middle were stuffed for losses, the Panthers face 3rd and 4 at the 2 minute warning.  With Hubbard out of the game from an earlier injury, the Panthers lined up with 3 WRs, 1 TE and Sanders as the tailback.  They ran a Linebuck and Sanders dove into the end zone on a 4 yard carry.
With 1:45 left in the game, the Patriots ran 15 plays where their drive and game ended at the Panthers 26 yard line.
Both teams each had around 300 total yards and around 20 first downs.  NE was 2 of 15 on third downs and 5 of 7 on 4th downs.  Panthers were 11 of 18 on third downs.
Young was 19 of 42 for 214 yards, 2 TDs and 1 int.  Jones was 29 of 46 for 215 yards and 1 TD.

Congratulations to Coach Jess Geller for winning this year’s Coach of the Year trophy!