Preparation is key in any sport, but it’s especially important in the game of football. Fine tuning plays, formations, fundamentals and muscle memory takes weeks to develop.

Unfortunately for Pleasant Valley, due to numerous setbacks in dealing with COVID-19 in its district, the Bears season was significantly delayed, as they took the field for the first time on Friday against fellow Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) North opponent Pocono Mountain West.

West, which was playing its third game of the season, looked more in sync throughout the ball game as the Panthers were able to put together a big night on the ground to come away with a 21-7 victory.

After a scoreless opening quarter, it would be Pocono Mountain West that would get on the board first.

Starting with good field position at the PV 49-yard line, the Panthers started to get their run game going with speedster Jaden Bowens. Bowens rushed for 21 yards on the drive, capping off the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.

Bowen’s ability to weave in and out of the Bears’ defense on the drive was a sign of things to come, as he would come close to 200 yards rushing on the evening and help his team rush for over 250 yards.

“Up front, those five guys did a really nice job, especially getting down field,” said Pocono Mountain West head coach Jim McCarroll. “We want to get positive yardage on every play and keep the sticks moving and we were able to do that tonight.

“Credit has to go to PV as well though, they did a nice job of bringing some pressure, slanting their line when we were running zone, so we had to mix some things up, but our running backs saw the holes and we stayed on our blocks.”

After holding a seven-point advantage at the half, the Panthers went back to Bowen in the third.

A Bears turnover on a fumbled pitch gave the Panthers good field position once again at the PV 44-yard line. Two players later, Bowen would burst 38 yards around the right side for the score and gave West a 13-0 lead early in the third.

PV would answer on its ensuing drive after returning the kickoff to the Panthers 46-yard line. Just one play later, Bears’ quarterback Robert Papaleo faked an inside handoff and made a few guys miss, scampering for a 37-yard score.

It was the longest offensive play of the night for Pleasant Valley, putting the Bears right back in the ball game with 9:31 remaining in the third.

PV kept that momentum going, forcing the Panthers to punt on their next possession after a three and out, but a fumble on the Bears’ ensuing possession - their third lost fumble of the game - stifled their drive and their momentum.

“We’re not going to make excuses for anything, but it was our first game and you could see some of that out there, but still no excuses, we move on and get better,” said Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger. “I’m proud of the effort; we flew around the field defensively. I’m very proud of that group.

“But tonight at times it looked like it was our first game and it was their third game, but we need to get sharper and get better and I guarantee come Monday morning these kids are going to come ready to work.”

Even with the Bears’ three turnovers, they trailed by just six points through early in the fourth quarter. However, at the 8:31 mark in the fourth the Panthers were able to come up with the dagger they were looking for.

After committing to the run throughout the game, West took advantage of a one-on-one situation on the outside with talented receiver Joseph Rodriguez. Rodriguez beat his man on the right sideline and quarterback Isaiah Armand was able to find him for the 28-yard pitch and catch to extend the lead to 14 after a successful two-point conversion attempt to seal the deal.

TURNOVER TOWN

... The Bears were certainly shaking the rust off in this one. Three fumbles lost and an interception late in the game during desperation time kept their offense from being able to generate any real consistency or momentum.

BIG NIGHT

... The Panthers Jaden Bowens rushed for an impressive 194 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns.

MOVING THE STICKS

... West’s rushing attack helped it tally 12 first downs in the game compared to just four for Pleasant Valley.