Football: Clutch Panther Play Leads to Comeback Win Against Westfield State

By Jack Robinson

Published October 27, 2026

By the time the listed third-string quarterback Colton Lefebrve entered the game, the Panthers were scrambling. Adversity had struck early when senior starting quarterback Rocky Marchitelli left the match with an injury after he fumbled on a -6 yard rush to the left. On the next play, backup quarterback Richie Trotman was sacked for an 8-yard loss, leading to a punt on fourth down. 

“I was trying to stay calm because that’s what quarterbacks have to do, and I knew what I had to do, so I was confident,’’ Lefebrve, a freshman, said.

Lefebvre drove the Panther offense down the field early in the second quarter, completing a beautiful 44-yard deep pass to Matt Phillips. He then threw a clutch 11-yard pass to receiver Beau Fellows on fourth and 6 from the Owls’ 17-yard line, continuing their push to cut the lead to one score. However, the drive stalled short of the endzone, as the Panthers only gained one more yard before a turnover on downs on the Owls’ 5-yard line. Missed opportunities and an unprepared Panthers offense was the story of a difficult shutout first half for the Panthers. 

The momentum shifted after halftime as the Panthers kicked the ball off to Westfield State to start the second half. Connor Graham set the tone with a massive hit on return man Hymes Malachi to leave Owls on their own 15-yard line. Panther fans fed off the energy as the players yelled “boom!” and the sideline came to life. 

The Owls and Panthers traded 3-and-outs to open up the third quarter, which quieted the sideline and created doubt for Plymouth. Finally, something went the Panthers’ way as the Owls committed consecutive holding and false start penalties. Two plays later, Panther defensive lineman Jimmy Nelson forced a gigantic fumble recovered by defensive back Greg Berthiaume at the Owls’ 41-yard line.

Lefebrve and Fellows connected again on third and 7 for a Panther first down, getting them to the Owls’ 28-yard line. Lefebrve completed another pass to tight end Connor Adams for 17 yards, getting tackled at the Owls’ ten-yard line. After a 4-yard rush, a defensive holding penalty, and two short rushes, the Panthers finally cut the lead in half as Josh Phillips pounded it in from a yard out.

The Owls closed out the third quarter with a rapid drive down the field before the Panthers forced a 26-yard field goal to make the game 17-7. A couple of drives later, defensive back Ricky Phom intercepted the Owls at their own 46 and returned the pick 37 yards before an insane shock wave went through Panther Field as Phom fumbled just as he hit the ground, with an Owls player recovering. This made both teams’ players, coaches, and fans hold their breath, hoping the officials would make the right call as they determined possession. After a long and dragged-out 3 minutes, the officials finally ruled that Phom was down before the ball became loose, making it the Panthers’ ball at the Owls’ 9-yard line. Four plays later, on fourth and 1, Drake Dumont punched it in for a touchdown, making the score 17-14 Owls. 

All the doubt that the Panthers ever had in this game felt like it went away. They knew they were going to come back to win this game. Owls quarterback Quinn Sumner fumbled, and Panther Christian McGarry dived on the ball as fast as he could at the Panthers’ 42-yard line to put Plymouth in position to take the lead with 6:48 left in the game. 

The Panthers did exactly that as Jayden Graham rushed for five yards before Lefebvre and Fellows connected once again for five yards and a first down. Reece Davis rushed twice for nine yards, making it third and 1 on the Owls’ 39-yard line with 3:43 left in the game.

The offense looked confused in the huddle, which caused Head Coach Paul Castonia to call a timeout. This timeout paid off, and Lefebvre immediately found a wide-open Hunter Trueman on a 39-yard touchdown pass for the Panthers to take a 21-17 lead. “I was happier that it was to take the lead than being my first career college touchdown pass,” Lefebvre said. 

With just 3:32 minutes remaining in the game, the Owls had to move fast. On the other side, the Panthers knew they only had to stop the Owls four times to win. The Panthers did their job again as they got four consecutive stops, leaving 1:53 on the clock.

Now it was the Owls who needed to get 4 quick stops, and the Panthers needed a first down to run the clock out and end the game. None of that seemed to matter when Jayden Graham put the nail in the coffin on a 22-yard touchdown run to end the game 28-17. “The difference from the first and second was all about our energy. We came out in the second half not thinking we could win, but knowing we could, and coming out with confidence,” Lefebvre said. 

The Panthers will travel to Framingham State next Saturday, Oct. 31, as they look to improve from 3-3. 

Thumbnail image courtsey of Connor Chrusciel, PSU Athletics