Font Resize"We have worked too hard to go 0-3," was what Hartz yelled to his team.
Things didn't look so good for Central when the Black Knights drove down 60 yards in seven plays for the opening score.
However, Marquis Fells returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for the game-tying touchdown. The Panthers never looked back after that.
Inspired by Fells, the offense went into gear, as did its defense, albeit against a weakened squad. Central scored 44 straight points and ended up routing previously unbeaten Hempfield, 51-14.
"I have been here since I was a freshman, and we never went 0-3," Hartz said after the game. "I was like, 'Let's get together, play hard and get the win.'"
Fells scored four touchdowns. In addition to his kickoff return, the senior speedster caught a 54-yard scoring pass from Hartz that gave Central a 13-7 lead. He added a touchdown run, followed by a 72-yard connection with Hartz in a 2:14 span in the third quarter, pushing the lead to a mercy rule, 44-7.
"As soon as their touchdown happened I told our team to calm down," Fells said of his return. "I saw my blocks, had a big hole and just took it."
Panthers coach Brad Livingston said that play gave his team a lift it had been missing.
"We've had a tough time finding an acceptable
The Panthers dominated despite the fact the Knights had several key players suspended for violating team rules.
Knights freshman quarterback Sam Kramer looked fine during the opening drive, capped with his touchdown pass, and finished the game 11-of-17.
"He played great," Livingston said of Kramer. "I didn't hear anything (about the suspensions) until (Thursday) night and was glad I didn't. We were prepared to play a great Hempfield team. ... We got on a roll. Our kids started making plays, and that was it."
Hartz hit Darian Hampton for a big 41-yard touchdown pass as the second-quarter clock expired, sending Central to the intermission with a 20-7 lead.
The Panthers opened the 24-point third quarter with Kyle Smith's 26-yard field goal, followed by Breaun Randle's 1-yard touchdown plunge. Hartz capped the scoring with a 1-yard sneak with 6:29 to play in the game.
Fells had 70 yards rushing and another 171 receiving. Hampton had 62 yards receiving, and Sherief Sutton managed 53 on the ground as Central totaled 495 yards from scrimmage.
Hartz, who threw from 255 yards on six completions, was looking forward to the bus ride home after the Panthers picked up their first win of the season.
"Oh yes, it is going to feel a lot better," he said.
@stevenavaroli; 771-2060
Central 7 13 24 7 -- 51
Hempfield 7 0 0 7 -- 14
First Quarter
H -- Treavon Hinton 36 pass from Sam Kramer (Ben Underwood kick), 9:03.
CY -- Marquis Fells 95 kickoff return (Kyle Smith kick), 8:48.
Second Quarter
CY -- Fells 54 pass from Corey Hartz (kick failed), 7:39.
CY -- Darian Hampton 41 pass from Hartz (Smith kick), :00.
Third Quarter
CY -- Smith 26 FG, 8:07.
CY -- Breaun Randle 1 run (Smith kick), 4:55.
CY -- Fells 3 run (Smith kick), 2:58.
CY -- Fells 72 pass from Hartz (Smith kick), :44.
Fourth Quarter
H -- Kramer 6 run (Underwood kick), 9:57.
CY -- Hartz 1 run (Smith kick), 6:29.
-- CY -- H
First downs -- 16 -- 13
Rushes-yards -- 36-240 -- 83
Passing -- 6-15-0 -- 11-17-1
Passing yards -- 255 -- 146
Total yards -- 495 -- 229
Punts -- 2-37.5 -- 5-32.4
Fumbles-lost -- 3-1 -- 1-0
Penalties-yards -- 5-30 -- 1-5
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- Central York, Fells 8-70, Sherief Sutton 6-53, Hartz 8-40, Jay Stone 4-35, Zach Steffee 1-30, Terrance Carter 2-16, Hampton 1-1, Randle 1-1, Pearson Hinkle 1-0, Zach Beam 1-(-1), Team 1-(-5); Hempfield, Devin Washington 15-42, Manny Hernandez 3-18, Joe Gamble 6-15, Kramer 6-12, Wilson Lopez 3-(-1), Stephen Johnson 2-(-3).
Passing -- Central York, Hartz 6-15-255-0; Hempfield, Kramer 11-17-146-1.
Receiving -- Central York, Fells 3-171, Hampton 2-62, Sutton 1-22; Hempfield, Hinton 5-104, Lopez 4-16, Devon Santos 1-26, Washington 1-0.
