Football hosts Hanover on Homecoming

DEFIANCE, Ohio – A buzzing Defiance College campus saw DC football welcome Hanover College to Justin F. Coressel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The game served as a culmination of 2019 Homecoming on Defiance's campus. The defending HCAC Champion Panthers topped the Yellow Jackets 42-0 in front of the large contingent of Purple and Gold faithful.

The Panthers struck first in the affair, putting up a quick 14 points in the first quarter of action. In the next series, freshman Damon Thomas (Imperial Beach, Calif. / Mar Vista) forced a Hanover fumble that was recovered by Dennis Dust (Port St. Lucie, Fla. / Jensen Beach). 

Yellow Jacket quaterback, Reggie Washington (Laurel, Md. / Aberdeen) used the momentum to find senior Jason Santora (Avon, Ohio / Avon) for a 19 yard pass resulting in a first down. 

To start off the second half, Hanover was at 3rd and 14 when junior Steven Lucas (Warren, Mich. / Center Line) intercepted a pass from Hanover quarterback AJ Breit. 

Defensively, freshman Ja'qway Janvier (Miami Gardens, Fla. / Mater Academy Charter)  led the way in tackles for the Purple and Gold recording eight solo tackles. Jalylen Redd (Memphis, Tenn. / Germantown) followed close behind tallying seven. Thomas got into the Panther backfield to record one sack, four tackles, and forced a fumble on the day. 

A tough Panther defense held Defiance to 182  yards for the contest. From the pocket, Washington threw for 50 yards and rushed 70.  

Defiance falls to 0-6 on the season and 0-3 in HCAC play with the defeat. Head Coach Manny Matsakis' side will take next week off before returning to action on Saturday, October 26, as they travel to perennial HCAC favorite Franklin.