A Princeton defender tackles Prosper senior quarterback Tyler Albert on Friday at Children’s Health Stadium. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
By David Wolman
PROSPER — Prosper used a 21-point second quarter to pull away for a 45-7 win over Princeton at Children’s Health Stadium on Friday.
The Panthers’ special teams nearly came up with a big play to start the game.
Princeton initially recovered an onside kick inside Prosper territory just seconds in. However, that play was negated after the Panthers were called for an illegal formation.
Prosper struck first. Zander Krempin rolled over a Panthers’ defender and into the end zone for a touchdown and a 7-0 Eagles lead with 6:47 left in the first quarter.
Princeton nearly answered.
On the ensuing drive, sophomore quarterback Ayden Hughes dropped back and took off running after seeing an open running lane up the middle. Hughes rumbled 22 yards for a first down at the Prosper 40. But just when it appeared that Princeton had momentum, a delay of game penalty was called on the Panthers, and they were eventually forced to punt.
Prosper used a 21-pont second quarter to create further separation.
A blocked punt by the Eagles ignited the scoring flurry. Junior Parker Rutledge scooped the ball and returned for a touchdown and a 14-0 Prosper lead.
Just 44 seconds later, Prosper got a touchdown from its defense. Senior defensive lineman Brayden Anderson intercepted a pass and returned 36 yards for a pick-six and a 21-0 lead after Madden Christensen’s PAT kick.
Prosper’s lead ballooned to 28-0 thanks to the right arm of its quarterback. Albert spotted senior Marcus McCoy in the middle of the end zone and the two connected on a 17-yard passing touchdown with 4:59 remaining in the first half.
The Panthers finally reached the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
Hughes alertly released the ball just before a Prosper defender tackled him. Junior Khingston Allen reached up to make the reception and ran to the end zone to complete a 15-yard touchdown.
The play came shortly after senior linebacker Austin Aparicio had an interception for a touchdown negated on an illegal-block-in-the-back penalty.
Hughes threw for 179 yards on 20 of 39 with one touchdown, while Allen caught two passes for 45 yards.
Princeton finished its first season under head coach Daniel Johnson with a 2-8 record, while Prosper improves to 9-1.
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