Panthers win easily in battle with Akron rival

East High defeated Akron East 27-12 Saturday night.

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

AUSTINTOWN — With a 27-12 triumph over Akron East, the Youngstown East Panthers (5-1) showed why they are becoming one of the better teams in the area.

The Panthers relied on the arm of quarterback Sal Battles and the quick feet of wide receiver Jeff Purdie to take a 12-0 lead into halftime.

Battles connected with Purdie on a 77-yard catch and run midway through the second quarter to put East up 6-0.

“Jeff and Sal have great continuity,” coach Brain Shaner said. “I think that's their third pass play of more than 60 yards this season. I don't know many high school quarterbacks that can make the throw that Sal did.”

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Battles found Purdie again in the second quarter, this time from 16 yards with 30 second remaining in the half. Battles finished 6-10 for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and Purdie had 94 yards receiving.

“Jeff [Purdie] has great speed, and wonderful hands,” Shaner said. “Anytime we need big play we turn to Jeff and Sal in the passing game.”

East put up 15 points in the third quarter, without Battles who sat the entire second half with concussion like symptoms.

“He [Battles] took a couple of hits to the head when he scrambled around, and going into halftime he said he felt dizzy,” Shaner said. “We kept him out as a precautionary measure because we thought we could get by with our backup.”

The offense was only one side of the story for the Panthers. East's defense limited the Orientals to 13 yards on the ground, intercepted Akron East's Rico Law twice, and recovered two fumbles.

“For three quarters our defense was lights out,” Shaner said. “We had some of our JV guys in during the fourth quarter and had some breakdowns, but so far this season our defense has played pretty darn good football. They've been up to the challenge each week.”

East out gained the Orientals 338 to 187. Gary Thornton led East with 136 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Law went 11-26 for 174 yards passing and two touchdowns for Akron East.

Shaner said his team will need to bring its best game next week against Beaver Local.

“We're going to need Sal back at full strength next week,” he said. “Beaver Local will be the most explosive offense we have seen this season. Their quarterback is a tremendous athlete. It's going to be fun watching our defense matchup against them.”