Rome, March 11, 2012 – The Parma Panthers emerged victorious against the Lazio Marines finishing the game 22-12. The team had a rocky first half; falling behind by an early touchdown after the Marines scored on a 46-yard run by Kellen Pruit. The next drive showed promise until it was stopped on the 5 yard line after a series of incomplete passes from quarterback Tommaso Monardi. The Panthers put in Andrea Vergazzoli to kick from the 5-yard line, earning a field goal and cutting the Marines lead to three. After another drive stalled near the red zone, the Panthers put Vergazzoli back in for a 24-yard kick, however, this time it was no good.

During halftime the Panthers Coaches were overheard giving the team a heavy-handed pep talk. The pep talk must have worked as the Panthers showed renewed intensity on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball in the second half. Early in the third quarter Monardi threw to Jaycen Spears who ran the ball down the left and, after eluding a series of Marines defenders, scored a Panthes touchdown. Vergazzoli earned the extra point, which brought the Panthers into the lead, 10-6.

Panthers defense played well and was able to contain the Marines offense until the beginning of the fourth quarter when Marines quarterback, Blake Barnes, passed to Lorenzo D’Angelo who scored a touchdown putting the two teams neck and neck, 10-12. The Panthers came right back, regaining the lead on a 60 yard touchdown pass from Monardi to Kevin Grayson. The Panthers failed their two point conversion, leaving the score 16-12.

The Panthers ended the game in style after Monardi threw his third touchdown of the second half; a 33-yard pass to Tommaso Finadri who ran the ball to the end zone scoring a touchdown just before the final whistle of the game. The final score was 22-12.

Although much of the game was a defensive struggle, even seeming arduous at times, there were some standout players; Monardi finished 11-of- 21 for 168 yards. He threw three touchdowns, and had 6 runs for 15 yards. Spears rolled up 102 total yards and a touchdown while Grayson earned 74 yards including his dramatic 60-yard touchdown.

The Panthers fans were hoping for a well-played game and a victorious outcome after losing to the Bolzano Giants last week. They got the win, though there still appear to be some things to work on. It is clear that this team has even more to show, and everyone has high hopes for their home game next week against the Milano Seamen.

BOX SCORE