Imhotep Panthers football team’s state-championship dream ends in defeat [Video and photos]

December 9, 2012
  • <p><p>The PIAA AA semifinal match up between the Wyomissing Spartans and Imhotep Panthers was held Saturday at the Benjamin L. Johnson Memorial Stadium. The home team lost 35-13. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The PIAA AA semifinal match up between the Wyomissing Spartans and Imhotep Panthers was held Saturday at the Benjamin L. Johnson Memorial Stadium. The home team lost 35-13. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Spartans running back Justin Causa scored on a 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter to boost Wyomissing's lead to 28-13. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Spartans running back Justin Causa scored on a 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter to boost Wyomissing's lead to 28-13. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The Panthers defense makes a stop. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The Panthers defense makes a stop. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Khalil Steward, a senior wide receiver, corrals a reception despite Scott McAvoy's coverage. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Khalil Steward, a senior wide receiver, corrals a reception despite Scott McAvoy's coverage. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>On Saturday, at a packed Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium, Kadmiel Kelome and the Imhotep Panthers battled against the Wyomissing Spartans in the state semifinal game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>On Saturday, at a packed Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium, Kadmiel Kelome and the Imhotep Panthers battled against the Wyomissing Spartans in the state semifinal game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>David Williams ran for more than 140 yards in a losing effort. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>David Williams ran for more than 140 yards in a losing effort. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Another touchdown. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Another touchdown. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Imhotep's Nyeem Thrones attempts to stop Wyomissing's from catching a pass Joe Cacchione. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Imhotep's Nyeem Thrones attempts to stop Wyomissing's from catching a pass Joe Cacchione. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Four Panthers look on as the Spartans celebrate another touchdown. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Four Panthers look on as the Spartans celebrate another touchdown. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Spartans quarterback Corey Unger unleashed several long passes, including this 46-yard TD to Gerald Burns (outside the frame). (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Spartans quarterback Corey Unger unleashed several long passes, including this 46-yard TD to Gerald Burns (outside the frame). (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Imhotep David Williams and fullback Shahyodd Chavis celebrate Williams' 50-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the extra point for which gave the Panthers their lone lead of the day. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Imhotep David Williams and fullback Shahyodd Chavis celebrate Williams' 50-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the extra point for which gave the Panthers their lone lead of the day. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Anzalone had a 58-yard rush. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Anzalone had a 58-yard rush. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Chatmon, a linebacker, faced a rugged Anzalone throughout a game in which the standout registered nearly 150 rushing yards and also played on defense. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Chatmon, a linebacker, faced a rugged Anzalone throughout a game in which the standout registered nearly 150 rushing yards and also played on defense. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Wyomissing's Alex Anzalone is tackled by Imhotep's Brandon Chatmon. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Wyomissing's Alex Anzalone is tackled by Imhotep's Brandon Chatmon. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Imhotep's talented running back Nasir Bonner is a sophomore and expected to be a key contributor to the upstart team's future success. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Imhotep's talented running back Nasir Bonner is a sophomore and expected to be a key contributor to the upstart team's future success. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>It took four Spartans to tackle Imhotep's DeAndre Scott, who scored a touchdown in the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>It took four Spartans to tackle Imhotep's DeAndre Scott, who scored a touchdown in the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>A youngster tries to get in on the action as the Wyomissing Spartans huddle up before the start of the PIAA state semifinal game against Imhotep. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>A youngster tries to get in on the action as the Wyomissing Spartans huddle up before the start of the PIAA state semifinal game against Imhotep. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Imhotep running back David Williams will now decide between Ohio State University, Arizona State University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Miami. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Imhotep running back David Williams will now decide between Ohio State University, Arizona State University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Miami. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Supporters applaud as the players leave the field for the last time of the 2012 season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Supporters applaud as the players leave the field for the last time of the 2012 season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Some players cried out of disappointment when Crosby addressed the team postgame. He told them to keep their eyes up and be proud of their season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Some players cried out of disappointment when Crosby addressed the team postgame. He told them to keep their eyes up and be proud of their season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Coach Albie Crosby tells his Imhotep Panthers that he is proud of them, and lauded their opponents. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Coach Albie Crosby tells his Imhotep Panthers that he is proud of them, and lauded their opponents. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The Wyomissing Spartans celebrate their 35-13 victory over the Imhotep Panthers at Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium in Northwest Philadelphia. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The Wyomissing Spartans celebrate their 35-13 victory over the Imhotep Panthers at Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium in Northwest Philadelphia. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Each team had a star running back with bigtime college prospects. Imhotep's David Williams, who has yet to decide between four D-1 offers, shakes hands with Alex Anzalone, who will attend the University of Notre Dame. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Each team had a star running back with bigtime college prospects. Imhotep's David Williams, who has yet to decide between four D-1 offers, shakes hands with Alex Anzalone, who will attend the University of Notre Dame. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The Imhotep Panthers cheerleaders support one another in defeat. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The Imhotep Panthers cheerleaders support one another in defeat. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>There was sadness among the Panthers as their dreams of a state championship were dashed by Wyomissing on Saturday. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>There was sadness among the Panthers as their dreams of a state championship were dashed by Wyomissing on Saturday. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Imhotep coaches react as time runs off the scoreboard and out of their season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Imhotep coaches react as time runs off the scoreboard and out of their season. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>In the Imhotep bleachers, fans tried to rally the undefeated Panthers to a 15-0 record and into the state-championship game against Aliquippa. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>In the Imhotep bleachers, fans tried to rally the undefeated Panthers to a 15-0 record and into the state-championship game against Aliquippa. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The Imhotep Panthers had a dominant, undefeated season. As they stretched during halftime, they faced the unfamiliar feeling of trailing on the scoreboard. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The Imhotep Panthers had a dominant, undefeated season. As they stretched during halftime, they faced the unfamiliar feeling of trailing on the scoreboard. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Some Wyomissing supporters, who traveled by car and bus from the Reading area for the Saturday afternoon game in Germantown, dressed in holiday gear. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Some Wyomissing supporters, who traveled by car and bus from the Reading area for the Saturday afternoon game in Germantown, dressed in holiday gear. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Wyomissing kicker Jonah Bowman warms up before the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Wyomissing kicker Jonah Bowman warms up before the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p>Supporters cheer as their team gets on the field. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

    Supporters cheer as their team gets on the field. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)

  • <p><p>Wyomissing fans lined the walkway from the locker room to the Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium field prior to the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Wyomissing fans lined the walkway from the locker room to the Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium field prior to the game. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>In the Wyomissing locker room before the game, Connor Reedy, team captain and Notre Dame recruit Alex Anzalone and Scott McAvoy sit quietly as noise from a raucous Imhotep room fills the air. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>In the Wyomissing locker room before the game, Connor Reedy, team captain and Notre Dame recruit Alex Anzalone and Scott McAvoy sit quietly as noise from a raucous Imhotep room fills the air. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>After the game, Wyomissing's star RB/LB Alex Anzalone said he was proud of his team and was looking forward to next week's state-championship game versus Aliquippa. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>After the game, Wyomissing's star RB/LB Alex Anzalone said he was proud of his team and was looking forward to next week's state-championship game versus Aliquippa. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

On Saturday afternoon, the Imhotep Institute Charter High School Panthers football team lost the PIAA AA state semifinal game to the Wyomissing Spartans 35-13 inside a packed Benjamin Johnston Memorial Stadium.

With the loss, the Panthers, who won their first playoff game in school history this season, end with a 14-1 record.

The visiting Spartans, who were also undefeated coming into the game, will face Aliquippa for the state championship next weekend.

“It hurts,” Imhotep head coach Albie Crosby told his players, some of whom had tears in their eyes, after the game. “I’ve coached worse games than today. We’ve played worse games than today. I’m so proud of you all. We’ve represented our city. We’ve represented our school.

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“They played really well. They just beat us. Sometimes, that’s what happens.”

NewsWorks will post a full story on the game on Monday.

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