2022-11-16

Panthers are back-to-back champions

BRIDGEWATER – The Park View Panthers football team are provincial champions.

For the second straight season the Panthers claimed the title - last year it was Division 2, this year, Division 3.

The Panthers dominated the Central Kings Gators 39-0 Nov. 11 played in Bedford on the turf at Charles P. Allen High School on a warm, sunny afternoon

Head Coach Jamie Dearing was proud of the players work ethic and push, adding that the key to the game was getting in good hits and following the game plan.

The Panthers came up big with many rushes on the Gators' quarterback and forced him to rush many times. Meanwhile, the offence put in a good mix of running and short and longer passing plays to keep the defence off-balance.

"I didn't think we could top a 9-0 record, but here we are again," said Dearing after the game.

The Panthers finished the 2021 season with a perfect record. This season, they finished the regular season with a 4-3 record against some tougher opponents.

Dearing said the good mix of ages on the squad this year, means that they should be able to put another quality team next year to take a run at a third consecutive title.

Twelve players will graduate this year.

To get to the the Division 3 finals this year, they defeated Sackville High 55-7 at home to claim their spot in the championship game.

Just to note, Dearing said the game was played in Bedford, because School Sport Nova Scotia states that the championship game must be played on turf, because it must be played rain or shine. He said that this is something that should be looked at for Bridgewater in the near future.

Not only does the neutral site take away the home field advantage, but the team has to come up with the funds for transportation and the cost to rent a field.