GOHS shares 7-4A title

• By CHRIS JONES
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 7, 2009

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Coach Landry Williams and the Glen Oaks High Panthers are back in the state playoffs for the first time since 2004.

And the coach could barely contain his emotions.

“It’s real big for the program. I’m proud of these guys. I’m proud of the fans,” said Williams.

Running back Geremany Addison had a game-sealing 80-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard interception return for another score to propel Glen Oaks to a 34-18 win over St. Michael on Friday night at BREC’s Memorial Stadium.

The 16-point win gave the Panthers a share of the District 7-4A title with Woodlawn. It is Glen Oaks’ first district title since 1995.

“The whole year we just strived on somebody stepping up and making plays,” Williams said. “These guys showed a lot of heart and determination throughout the season. Through all the adversity, we stuck in there and we played tough football all the way out.”

With the Panthers (7-3, 6-1 District 7-4A) nursing a 20-10 lead after St. Michael’s Brandon Landry missed a 32-yard field goal, Addison took the Brandon Vessel handoff and ran 80 yards.

Vessel broke two tackles en route to the end zone, extending the Panther margin to 26-10 with 7:46 left in the game.

On the Warriors’ next possession, Addison broke up a Jeremy Meyer pass intended for Austin Frey before picking off a Meyer pass and racing 41 yards for the score, putting the game out of reach at 34-10.

“I read the quarterback, saw where he was going, got in my drop and came back and took it,” Addison said. “It’s a great win. It’s been 13 years (since the Panther won a district title).”

St. Michael (6-4, 5-2) added a late touchdown on Meyers’ 15-yard pass to Frey to notch the final score at 34-18.

Addison finished as the Panthers leading rusher with 75 yards on seven carries. Vessel finished 10-of-18, connecting with six different receivers for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Vessel also added 39 yards on the ground.

“We were pretty effective tonight. I found a lot of receivers, said Vessel, who is in his first season as the Panthers quarterback. “They were getting open and I was getting the ball to them. And when I couldn’t, I just made plays.”