If Daviess County can keep things close in today’s state championship game against Henry Clay, head coach Doug Sandifer is going to bet on his guys in the final minutes.
While he knows it will be their toughest challenge of the season, Sandifer believes in the Panthers.
“It’s going to be a mountain that we’re going to have to try to climb,” he said. “We’ll see if we can come up with a game plan that gives us a chance to win it at the end. If we are in the game late, I’ll put money on us. If we’re tied, ahead by one or behind by one, based on our season I would bet on us.”
And why wouldn’t he? The Panthers (21-2-2) have won five of their last six games by a single goal. Winning goals in that stretch twice came in double overtime and once in the first extra period, while a fourth game-winner came in the waning minutes of a contest.
But, DC is now facing the top-ranked team in the state in Henry Clay (24-1-3). Game time is 5 p.m. CST at Bryan Station in Lexington.
The Blue Devils rolled to a 5-0 win over Oldham County in their semifinal match Wednesday, scoring all five goals in the first 20 minutes before letting off the gas.
“They’re very good,” Sandifer said. “They’ve got experienced players. I don’t know if there’s a weak spot in their lineup.”
They’re a well-rounded unit that’s only given up 12 goals all year — allowing two goals only once in their loss to St. Patrick of Chicago on Sept. 27. Offensively, the Blue Devils are led by Sota Ippongi, who has 26 goals and 10 assists.
“Henry Clay is going to be probably the best team we’ve played all year from what I can gather and what I’ve seen,” Sandifer said. “It’s going to take a tremendous effort on our kids’ part to stay with them and be disciplined enough to know when to attack them, know when to defend and help.”
Daviess County was a bit shaky in their 3-2 overtime win over East Carter on Wednesday, but they were also playing with only 10 men for most of the game after Carter Hoagland was given a red card midway through the first half. Hoagland, a key defender, will sit out the championship because of the penalty.
Sandifer said no matter what, the Panthers can be proud of reaching the final game of the season.
“I told them there’s nothing to be nervous about anymore,” Sandifer said. “Win or lose this game, we’re going to walk off the field Saturday night proud of what we accomplished. The only thing I want is them to walk off the field knowing they have no regrets on how they played that game.”
No one expected the Panthers to make it this far and they’ll certainly be underdogs, but Sandifer said they’re not playing for second place.
“At the end of the day we’re not just happy to be there,” he said. “We want to put ourselves in a position to try to win this thing. Who knows, nobody expected us to be here, so we’ve got nothing to lose.”
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