The No. 2 Abbott Panthers (10-0) secured their fifth consecutive district championship Friday night with a dominant 58-8 victory over No. 7 Aquilla. The game was a clash of two top-ranked six-man teams, but Abbott’s explosive offense and stifling defense proved too much for the previously unbeaten Cougars (9-1).
Aquilla struck first with a 60-yard scoring drive, but Abbott quickly responded with 20 unanswered points before halftime, including a 52-yard pick-six by Joey Pavelka. The Cougars stayed within striking distance until the third quarter, when Abbott unleashed a 24-point scoring burst in just seven minutes, led by Riley Sustala. Sustala finished with 218 rushing yards, five touchdowns on the ground, and two more receiving.
Abbott’s defense, which held Aquilla to just 138 total yards, played a pivotal role in the win. After allowing an opening-drive touchdown, they clamped down and kept the Cougars out of the end zone for the rest of the game. Freshman quarterback TC Hennig showed promise for Aquilla but struggled against the Panthers’ relentless pressure.
With the victory, Abbott remains undefeated and heads into the playoffs as a top contender. They will face Chester in the bi-district round on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Photos from Pat Carrigan
