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FOOTBALL

Putnam City gets defensive, shuts out PC North

For at least the first half, the Putnam City defense looked like they were world beaters against Putnam City North.

For several years the Pirates have earned the reputation as an offensive team with outstanding running backs lined up and waiting to get in the game. All the while, the defense was quietly going about their work of shutting down the opposition and creating outstanding field position for the offensive unit.

Putnam City could claim the Putnam City school district championship and the Battle of the Expressway trophy with a win over rival Putnam City North.

PC had beaten Putnam City West earlier in the season, 20-0.

Both teams were 2-0 entering the game.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Panthers managed a couple of first downs before punting the football to the Pirates.

PC began the possession with Chris Cormier as the quarterback. A combination of runs by Cormier and Tyler Wegner moved the ball to midfield, where the Pirates punted.

North used runs by Colby Harris and Thomas Amous to gain a first down. Quarterback Matt Veazey missed on a pair of passes, the last being tipped away by PC's Fred Cato.

Field position from punts by both teams put the Panthers on their own 2-yard line.

The Panthers could not fight their way out and kicked the ball away.

Starting on North's 31-yard line, the Pirates moved to North's 13. From there, PC's Wegner kicked a 29-yard field goal to give PC a 3-0 lead with 8:06 remaining in the half.

Holding the Panthers to another three-and-out, PC began on their 48-yard line. With Nico Watson at quarterback, the Pirates used runs by Greg Cortes to move deep into North's red zone.

Watson finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

On North's next snap, they fumbled the football, which was recovered by PC's Trey Fore.

Germany led another drive for the Pirates, which ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Justin Reitz.

That ended the scoring in the game. Putnam City's 17 points all came in the second period.

The second half saw the Panthers move into the Pirates' end of the field three times, but failed to finish the drives with any points.

Putnam City's defense was especially impressive in the first half, but looked good overall.

This game was the first time the Pirates looked like a playoff team this year.

The offense clicked with Germany at quarterback. He is the third signal caller the Pirates have used this season. He was projected to be the opening game quarterback, but was replaced due to illness. With Germany behind the center, the offense came alive.

Putnam City won the Expressway Battle 17-0.