Warsaw Mets outgun Wroclaw Panthers in Polish Football League quarterfinal offensive spectacle

| American Football | 07/08/2025

The Warsaw Mets advanced to the Polish Football League semifinals with a 58-42 victory over the Wroclaw Panthers in a record-setting quarterfinal shootout at Marki Education and Recreation Center, combining explosive offense and clutch defensive stops to survive the 100-point thriller.

Historic Marki debut ignites fireworks
In their inaugural game in Marki, the Mets electrified a sold-out crowd with eight touchdowns and a safety. Quarterback Clayton Uecker powered the attack with two rushing scores, while Krzysztof Bartwicki (2 TDs) and Marcin Ronczka (2 PATs) delivered critical plays. The Panthers countered with quarterback Joshua Cartwright’s dual-threat brilliance (2 TDs) and Kacper Chorążewski’s three receiving touchdowns, but trailed after an early blocked punt safety set the tone.

Defensive stops set early tone
The Mets’ defense overcame the suspension of Jovan Bayless and Filip Poszytek’s ejection, anchored by linebacker Marcin Stęplewski’s relentless pressure. A first-quarter safety and Bartwicki’s 8-yard touchdown run established a 9-0 lead, forcing Wroclaw into constant catch-up mode. Despite Panthers’ surges—including Tomasz Burdziński’s two fourth-quarter scores—the Mets never relinquished control.

Offensive line paves the way
Warsaw’s offensive line—Max Meniashov, Paweł Sobolewski, Marcin Miszczak, Kacper Trojanowski, and Krystian Makowski—dominated the trenches, enabling Uecker’s 43-yard scramble touchdown and sustaining drives that wore down Wroclaw’s defense. Adrian Sema (2 TDs) exploited secondary gaps, while Bartwicki’s second-half score sealed momentum.

Key scoring sequence

  • Q1: Safety (2-0), Bartwicki 8-yard run (9-0), Ronczka PAT (9-0)
  • Q2: Uecker’s 27-yard TD pass to Sema (21-12), Fijałkowski TD (27-12)
  • Q3: Uecker 14-yard scramble (43-26)
  • Q4: Bartwicki’s 12-yard run (57-34), Ronczka PAT (58-34)

Semifinal challenge awaits
The Mets advance to face the Silesia Rebels Katowice, seeking redemption after last season’s playoff exit. Wroclaw’s valiant effort—highlighted by Jan Wroński’s first-half TD and Cartwright’s late heroics—fell short due to defensive lapses. For Warsaw, replicating this offensive balance and disciplined red-zone execution will be vital against the Rebels’ veteran core.

The Mets’ 58-point explosion, their highest 2025 output, signals title intent, while Wroclaw’s young roster—led by Chorążewski and Burdziński—hints at future contention.

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