JH Panthers whip Bulldogs

By John Earp

The Jal Panthers Junior High Football Team faced off against the Artesia Bulldogs last Thursday afternoon at Panther Stadium. The game got off to a great start for the Panthers, with them getting a fumble recovery that resulted in a touchdown. With 3:21 left in the first quarter, Jal was in the lead 24-0. Then on the first play of the Bulldogs’ next drive, Zaine Vega intercepted another pass and ran it in for 7. Two-point conversion was good. With 3:02 remaining in the first quarter, the Panthers had an overwhelming lead, 32-0. Jayden Cervantes intercepted an Artesia pass on their next possession, giving the Panthers possession on the Artesia 27-yard line. The Bulldogs began to show some signs of life near the end of the first period, stopping the Panthers from advancing to the end zone and regaining possession on their 25-yard line.

Arian Lujan caught a pass over the middle and ran it in for a touchdown with 2:45 left in the second quarter. Two-point conversion failed. Jal led 38-0. At halftime, the score remained 38-0. Quarterback Landon Edwards ran the ball 32 yards into the end zone on a quarterback keeper. Two-point conversion was successful with a run by Uriel Ward. With 3:51 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Jal led 46-0.

The Panther Defense completely dominated the Bulldog Offense throughout the game, with the Bulldogs appearing very much out of their league. At the start of the fourth quarter, Jal led 46-0. The overall pace of the game slowed significantly after the first quarter. Edwards ran the ball into the end zone on 2nd and 7 from the Artesia 10-yard line, ending the game with 1:36 remaining, 52-0.