Last Tuesday the Hurricanes took on the Klein Oak Panthers for the chance to land themselves a spot in the playoffs. Although the Panthers are second in district and had only previously lost to Klein High, the boys locked in and held the lead down to the last seconds to win the game 21-20. While the win for the Hurricanes sent a message to the district, it also landed the team in the playoffs for the first time in Cain history.

“It was truly amazing being at this game. It was such a tense close game,” Alyssa Mauz said. “When we finally made it, the excitement all throughout the stadium was amazing.”

In the first quarter of the game, the Hurricanes dominated the offense throwing several passes over the head of the Panthers, and running straight through the defensive line. With just a minute gone in the first quarter, Matthew Golden, RB, completed a 30 yd pass thrown by Luke Pardee, QB, for a touchdown. As Aidan Martin kicked for the extra point, the defense stormed the field and got a stop for the Hurricanes.

“We knew we had a solid defense so when we had our opportunities to capitalize we were able to,” Luke Pardee said. “My WR’s did a great job of getting separation… I just put the ball in the air and let them do their thing.”

Finishing Off The Panthers

With offense back on the field, they ran several plays pushing up the defense for another chance to produce on the scoreboard. As the boys lined up just inside Oak’s 20-yard line, Aaron Jordan, RB, ran through the defensive line scoring another touchdown for the Hurricanes. With another extra point made, the Hurricanes were leading 14-0 just before the start of second quarter.

“At this point I believed anything was possible,” Aaron Jordan said. “…That we had the world in our hands.”

As second quarter kicked off the Panthers scored making it a one touchdown lead for the Hurricanes. Soon after the Panthers scored again leaving them trailing by one. Although the Panthers tried for a two point conversion, Hurricanes defense made a stop and maintained the lead. While the Panthers scored again the third quarter against the Hurricanes, the Hurricanes replied during the fourth quarter with a touchdown themselves. After defense got a stop, the Panthers attempted a field goal to take the lead but was blocked in their attempt Brayden Espinosa, DB.

With the final buzzer echoing around the stadium, the team, cheerleaders, stand leaders, and trainers, stormed the field celebrating the win over Klein Oak. The coaches embraced their loved ones and patted the backs of the players. With Cain headed to the playoffs after their first-ever momentous win against Klein Oak, their first official match up will be against Westfield High School at Planet Ford Stadium at 7 p.m. While the game against Oak brought blood, sweat, and tears at the end of the day the team found gratitude towards each other, and hope to bring their momentum in the game against Westfield.

“They’re talented guys who put in a lot of hard work into their craft and it showed against Klein Oak Thursday night,” Pardee said.