09/26/2024
C-S And St. Phil Have Played Some Memorable Games Over The Years
By Bruce Rolfe
While Climax-Scotts owns the upper hand in the overall series with Battle Creek St. Philip since 1950, the two schools have played some memorable, close games over the years, including one monumental win for the Tigers in 2008 that was followed later in the playoffs with a win for the Panthers.
According to Michigan-Football.com, C-S has a 14-10-1 record against the Fighting Tigers since 1950.
One game finished in a 0-0 tie, one game was decided by one point, one by two points and another by six points.
The October 9, 1959 clash between the two schools ended in a 0-0 tie.
The October 16, 1959 Climax Crescent did not reveal many details but did note both teams failed in several opportunities and the Panthers lost considerable yardage at critical times by offside and personal penalties.
The Panthers held off a late fourth quarter push by St. Phil to register a 7-6 win over the Fighting Tigers in a October 19, 1962 homecoming victory at C-S.
According to the October 26, 1962 Climax Crescent, the Panthers staved off a last ditch scoring threat by St. Phil in the last four minutes.
The Crescent adds the Panthers got off to a good start when Gil Collver raced 41 yards on the first play from scrimmage to set up the first score. The first score came on a pass from Dan Benoit to Dean Ramsdell. Wayne Hinton then kicked what turned out to be the winning extra point.
St. Phil came right back, scoring on a 72-yard run. The extra point kick was missed, keeping the score at 7-6 in favor of C-S. The game then became a defensive struggle for the rest of the game according to the Crescent.
The October 26 Climax Crescent notes a good defensive effort was led by Wayne Hinton and Larry Sackrider. The local newspaper adds the offense was led by the fine passing of Dan Benoit and running of Dean Ramsdell, Gil Collver and Wayne Hinton.
The Panthers lost a thrilling 20-14 decision to the Tigers at C-S October 2, 1964.
The Tigers marched down field and scored a touchdown the first time they got the ball. However the Panther defense tightened and trailed by a 7-0 margin after one quarter.
The October 9,1964 Crescent notes the Panthers broke through in the second quarter when Dan Benoit connected with Britten on an 18-yard touchdown strike. Benoit then ran in the extra point. The Tigers scored, however the extra point kick was blocked, leaving St. Phil with a 13-7 halftime lead. Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter.
The Panthers captured the lead in the fourth quarter when quarterback Dan Benoit completed a pass to Stuck. The extra point was made by a Benoit run, giving C-S a 14-13 lead.
The October 9, 1964 Crescent said the Tigers scored in the fourth quarter behind good runs and penalties. St. Phil converted on the extra point for a 20-14 margin.
The article adds C-S attempted to score again but St. Phil intercepted a pass and stalled.
Although C-S hadn’t played St. Phil often over the years, the Panthers ended a six-game losing skid to the Tigers that dated back to the 1962 season spanning six games, with a thrilling 22-6 win over the Tigers at Walsh Field.
The Fighting Tigers enjoyed one of the biggest wins in their program history by posting a 14-12 win over the Panthers September 5, 2008 in the home opener at C-S.
With the win, St. Phil ended C-S’ 46-game regular season winning streak and stretch of 36 regular season SCAA wins. The Panthers hadn’t lost a regular season game since October 25, 2002 when Pittsford handed the Panthers a 21-12 setback. After a scoreless first quarter St. Phil scored the game’s first points on a 67-yard scamper by Andy Brown with 9:48 left in the second quarter (Conor Riley kicked the extra point). St. Phil led 7-0 at halftime.
Brock Grosso found a wide open Conor Riley for a 14-yard touchdown pass play with 5:18 left in the third quarter and Riley kicked the extra point, giving the visitors a 14-0 lead after three quarters.
Billy Fitzsimmons followed a 16-yard pickup with a three-yard burst up the middle with 11:34 left in the game to get C-S on the scoreboard (the two-point conversion attempt on a fun failed). Fitzsimmons’ touchdown removed the possibility C-S would suffer its first regular season shutout since Oct. 5, 2001 (Covert) and first overall since Mendon blanked the Panthers in the 2005 playoffs. The Panthers got the break they were looking for when Scott Simmons came up with a big fumble recovery at the St. Phil 42-yard line with 8:57 left in the game.
Fitzsimmons pulled the Panthers to within 14-12 with 4:43 left with a one-yard burst up the middle with 4:43 left in the game. C-S nearly tied the game on the two-point conversion, but quarterback Brandon Weaver, who could not find an open target on a pass play, rolled to his right and tried to sneak into the right side of the endzone but fell about one yard short.
The C-S defense did a good job holding St. Phil and on a fourth and eight play the Tigers attempted a fake punt that fell six yards short of a first down with 2:09 left in the game.
C-S picked up a first down on two big running plays that put the home team on the Tiger 38-yard line.
But C-S had its comeback attempt thwarted when Conor Riley came up with a interception with 1:28 left in the game.
The Tigers then ran out the clock and celebrated ferociously, ending four consecutive games of frustration against C-S.
C-S would get some revenge in the playoff opener later that year by recording a 27-13 win over the Fighting Tigers October 31.
