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Sports

Babylon Wary of John Glenn's Quick-Strike Offense

As the Panthers prepare for Saturday's playoff game, they need to shut down the Knights' big-play offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Match-up: Babylon (7-2) at John Glenn (8-1)

Time/Venue: Saturday, November 12, 1 p.m. at John Glenn High School

Last Week: Babylon defeated Shoreham-Wading River 27 - 2; John Glenn defeated Hampton Bays 48 – 8.

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Back in week four of the football season, Babylon’s defense knew their job against John Glenn: don’t give up big plays. But no one told Knight quarterback Richard Czeczotka.

The senior rushed for two touchdowns (one for 37 yards) and threw for another, of 62 yards, as Babylon lost 21 – 7. So as the Panthers ready for Saturday’s Division IV semi-final rematch, there’s no secret about what they need to do.

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“All week, coach [Rick Punzone] has been telling us, ‘No big plays’ against them,” said Babylon linebacker Greg Dieterich, “If we can contain them, we can keep them in check.”

If.

So far this season, no one has figured how to contain Czeczotka. In last week’s 48 – 8 drubbing of Hampton Bays, Czeczotka was 14-for-14, passing for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards on just four attempts. Even in his one loss this season (42 – 28 to Amityville), Czeczotka threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for two more scores.

“He’s one of our keys,” said John Glenn coach Dave Shanahan. “We have some good athletes [at skilled positions] and our offensive line is pretty good.”

And so is their defense, as evident in a critical goal-line stand they made against the Panthers in that first meeting. Trailing 14 – 7 entering  the third quarter, Babylon took the opening kickoff, marched down the field and set themselves up for a first-and-goal from the Knight 7-yard line. But the Knight defense held on three consecutive runs and a fourth-down pass went incomplete.

“Our kids know that Babylon is a powerful, well-coached team,” Shanahan said. “Any time you play them, you’re very fortunate to beat them.”

“We moved the ball well, we just couldn’t finish,” said Babylon quarterback Zach Fredericks, who will again take on defensive responsibilities at a safety position. “He’s one of our better athletes, and Glenn throws the ball,” Punzone said, explaining the move to re-insert Fredericks on defense.

“Our game plan is the same, the key is us holding onto the ball, and not giving up big plays,” Punzone said. “Glenn spreads you out. If they’re going to beat us, we have to make them beat us throwing the ball. If they run the ball against us, we’ll have trouble winning the game.”

Last Time They Played

Score: John Glenn defeated Babylon 21 – 7 back on September 17

Scoring Summary: Czeczotka got the Knights on the scoreboard first, running off right tackle and sprinting 35 yards down the sideline. Babylon answered in that opening quarter, when Grant Shannon powered into the end zone from 2 yards out. In the second quarter, Czeczotka connected with Nick Wagner for a 62-yard catch-and-run to give Glenn a 14 – 7 halftime lead. Czeczotka rushed for a touchdown late in the fourth to finish out the scoring.

Babylon's performers:

-Shannon rushed for 136 yards and 1 TD

-Frank Mankiewicz rushed for 78 yards

-Fredericks completed 4-of-7 for 45 yards

-Michael Jackson had 3 receptions for 18 yards

Quotable: “For the seniors, we’ve now lost to them three straight,” Dieterich said, referring to two losses last season, including a semi-final playoff loss. “It’s left a bad taste in our mouths.”

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