By Elijah Goodman. Photos by Elijah Goodman.
Three weeks ago, Paint Branch and Blake clashed in a tight Week 8 matchup that ended 20–7 in favor of the Panthers. The takeaway wasn’t that Paint Branch was simply the better team, but that the Bengals could not stop star running back Alijah Bah, who rushed for over 200 yards in their regular season meeting. Alijah unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9 against Churchill. That gave the Bengals a glimmer of hope that they could steal a playoff win from the Panthers. I talked to the sidelined Bah, and he said, “We’re gonna show them that they don’t need me to beat Blake.”
And that’s exactly what they did. Excellent quarterback play from Vincent Do and an infuriating defense led by Kaden Chapman proved too much for Blake, falling 34–14 to Paint Branch in the MPSSAA Class 4A North Regional Semi-Finals.
First Quarter: A Panther Storm
Blake opened the game with a quick three-and-out, and Paint Branch immediately seized control. Quarterback Vinny Do scrambled for six yards, then running back Isaac Timbo got to the outside for a 15-yard gain on 3rd-and-1. After stalling to a 3rd-and-9, Do dropped back in the pocket and heaved a 30-yard bomb to find a wide-open Michael Boateng in the end zone, striking first to make it 7–0.
On Blake’s ensuing possession, disaster struck. A screen pass was blown up instantly, and running back Junior Rodriguez lost his grip on the ball as the Panthers pounced on the loose ball.
Do made them pay. On 3rd down, the Bengals brought pressure. Throughout the regular season, the senior quarterback has been criticized for his inability to play through a broken pocket. But on this play, he rolled out to his right and delivered a cross-body dime to Biando for another score, stretching the lead to 14–0 with 3:52 still left in the opening quarter.
Blake needed a spark, and they got one. A good kickoff return and a flag on the Panthers gave Blake excellent field position, starting at the Paint Branch 35-yard line. Junior quarterback Wilt Cameron fired a slant to Armani Fowlkes, who slipped a tackle and sprinted all the way to the end zone to cut the deficit to 14–7.
The Panthers’ next possession was unsuccessful, giving the ball back to Blake to start the second quarter.
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Second Quarter: Momentum Hangs in the Balance
Early penalties threatened to halt Blake’s next drive, but a roughing-the-passer call breathed life into their offense. On 1st-and-20, Wilt dropped back and found Dereion Wilkinson streaking downfield for the game-tying touchdown.
Suddenly, it was 14–14 and it was anyone’s game.
Paint Branch responded with the poise of a playoff team. On 3rd-and-10, they connected on a crucial slant to senior receiver Jamari Miller, and two plays later, running back Isaac Timbo bulldozed straight up the middle and proceeded to run 40 yards for the touchdown, reclaiming a 21–14 lead.
Blake fought back with a pair of gritty third-down conversions, including a prayer that was hauled in by Junior Rodriguez. But on the very next play, Wilt was crushed by Kaden Chapman, a hit that echoed through the stadium and instantly shifted the momentum back to Paint Branch.
Third Quarter: Pulling Away
Out of halftime, Timbo wasted no time. On a quick pitch to the outside, he tore off nearly 40 yards, igniting the Panthers’ sideline. On the 3-yard line, Biando finished the job for his second touchdown of the night. The PAT sailed wide, but the Panthers were firmly in control, up 27–14.
Blake’s offense stalled again, and their punt set Paint Branch up – only for a personal foul to back the Panthers up to their own 10-yard line. A Blake facemask gave Paint Branch breathing room, but with key center Josh Jean Baptiste injured, the offense hindered.
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Then chaos ensued. A high snap soared over Timbo’s head on the punt. He recovered, tried to salvage the play by running the ball, and drew another facemask penalty, somehow turning disaster into a first down at the Blake 40-yard line. The Panthers were unable to convert the drive into any points and turned the ball over on downs.
Blake started their next drive on their own 8-yard line. Paint Branch defensive tackle Julian Blanco ripped through Blake’s offensive line, and Cameron was forced to heave the ball in a last-ditch effort to bring life back to the Bengals. Safety Raheim Briddell leaped up and corralled the ball for his third interception of the season.
Paint Branch capitalized immediately. On 4th-and-goal from the 5, Do fired a bubble screen to Michael Boateng, who powered in for his second touchdown.
Paint Branch now led 34–14, and the Blake student section started to dwindle.
Fourth Quarter: The Finishing Touches
Blake opened the fourth quarter from their own 13, but another three-and-out sealed their fate. A desperate deep shot later in the quarter floated into the arms of Shiloh Bryant-Serrano for Paint Branch’s second interception of the night.
With the clock winding down, Paint Branch emptied the playbook. Linebacker Kaden Chapman took a handoff and exploded through the middle, weaving 70 yards down the field to the Blake 7 yard line, a final exclamation point on a dominant night.
The Panthers kneeled out the remaining seconds, their sideline already celebrating a statement victory.
FINAL: Paint Branch 34 – Blake 14
The Panthers advance to the quarterfinals where they will play Broadneck at home next week.