Pannell's four TDs lift Smithtown West
Nearly 400 rushing yards were gained. Five touchdowns were scored. Career highs were set. School records were broken. Playoff hopes were kept alive. Oh, and an unbeaten team was defeated.
All thanks to James Pannell.
The senior set career-highs with 392 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries to lead Smithtown West to a 34-18 win over West Babylon in Nassau II. He added two interceptions, the second he returned 45 yards for a TD. He also dropped three punts inside the 10-yard line.
"It's just amazing to watch a great athlete just take over a game and put everything on his back," Smithtown West assistant coach Jim Giugliano said.
The win kept Smithtown West (2-5) in playoff contention and handed West Babylon (6-1), who started third-string quarterback Tim Kranz because of injuries, its first loss of the season.
Pannell opened the scoring with a 4-yard TD run midway through the first quarter. In the second quarter he ran 74-yards for a touchdown. He added a 58-yard TD run just before halftime for a 21-10 lead and opened the third with a 23-yard TD run.
Kranz, a freshman, connected with Unique Ford for a 35-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 14-10 in the second quarter. The Eagles wouldn't score again until late in the fourth when Chris Lubin had a 1-yard TD run.
Pannell more than doubled his previous career-high of 154 yards, broke the school record of 350 yards, and kept hope alive in what has been a disappointing season for Smithtown West.
"It's not about handing them their first loss, it's about us getting the victory and showing that we never quit," Giugliano said. "We're starting to be the team that we expected and hoped to be this season."
