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Panthers, Lions to meet in Super Bowl

All-Prague championship set after blowouts in ČLAF semifinals last weekend

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
July 25th, 2007 issue

Both Prague teams entered their semifinal matchups July 21–22 with their minds on an eventual rematch in the Super Bowl.
Thus the Lions unveiled a power I offense, a three-running-back set they never employ, in Sunday’s 40–0 win over Bratislava, knowing the Panthers would be watching.
The Panthers did the same in their 72–6 drubbing of Příbram the day before.
“We used every play and every formation we could think of so the Lions could have something to look at,” said Panthers head coach John Srholec.
As expected, the playoff semifinals of the American football league were lopsided affairs. The late arrival of an ambulance, which delayed Saturday’s kickoff by about 10 minutes, was the only thing that slowed the Panthers’ attack.
Otherwise it was carnage, like yelling “free white wine” at a bachelorette party.
Panthers quarterback Jacob Shrum scored three touchdowns on the ground, two more passing and racked up 223 total yards against the hapless Příbram Bobcats. Running back Ondřej Víšek gained 92 yards with one score. Martin Dlouhý added a couple of TDs.
The issue was never in doubt. Defensive back Sam Lancaster picked off a wobbly pass to cut the visiting Bobcats’ opening drive short, then switched over to wide receiver and put the first points on the board. Příbram’s next possession ended when Miloš Hildebrand intercepted another errant toss. Two plays later, Dlouhý tucked the ball in and scampered 12 yards for an easy six.
In fact, six different Panthers reached pay dirt by the end of Saturday’s devastation.
Stanislav Jantoš, cornerback and sometime ball carrier for the Prague Lions, knows what it means to square off against Shrum and his high-powered offense.
“He’s smart,” Jantoš said. “He’s very dangerous.”
So, last Sunday, in the Lions’ semifinal against the Bratislava Monarchs, Jantoš decided to have some fun while he could against a lesser opponent, intercepting a pass and scoring two touchdowns on offense — one from nine yards out, the other from seven. He also picked up 53 yards on three punt returns, setting his team up for easy scores.
“The holes were there,” he said. “If nobody touches you, it’s a nice game.”
Quarterback Libor Navrátil seemed more settled in the pocket than he had during a recent slump, completing 13 of 30 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. But he still missed open receivers — although not wide out Aleš Daňhel (four receptions for 51 yards) or big tight end Jan Dundáček (three catches and a touchdown).
“We have some time to improve,” said coach Martin Kocián. “We’ll see if it’s going to be enough.”
The good news: Running back Michal Formánek returned with a vengeance after a three-month layoff, gaining 108 yards on 15 carries. Will he be stronger for the big game?
“Yeah, I have to be,” he said.
The bad news: Star defensive lineman Pavel Poříz went down with a knee injury in the first quarter on a play where he and Jiří Šubotník stuffed Monarchs I-back Matej Havlík.
The Panthers and Lions meet in the season finale, the Czech Super Bowl, Saturday (July 28) at the Charles University athletic field in Hostivař. Address: Bruslařská 10, Prague 10. (Near the last stop of tram No. 22). Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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