Panthers lose to Cardinals
By John Earp
Last Friday night at Panther Stadium, the Jal High School Varsity Football Team (2-7 overall; 0-3 in district) took on their arch rivals, the Eunice Cardinals (6-3 overall; 1-2 in district) for a game that is always as hyped up as can be. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the Cardinals brought their A game, while the Panthers just couldn’t get the ball in the end zone that game, no matter how close they got.
The Cardinals scored with a long pass on their second offensive play for the game. Extra point was good. Eunice led 7-0 with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter. The Panther Offense had trouble getting their game in gear, punting on their first two offensive drives. Eunice quickly scored another touchdown on their second play of their second drive as well. Extra point was good. With 7:51 remaining in the first period, the Cardinals were beating the Panthers soundly. The Panther Offense did better on their third possession, advancing to the Cardinal 27, but fell just short of the first down on fourth, resulting in a turnover.
The Cardinals continued to play their game, with a dominating offense as they advanced down the field, scoring once again with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter. After another successful extra point, Eunice led 21-0. The Panther Offense looked more promising on their next possession, making good gains primarily rushing. However, the Cardinal Defense was once again able to stop the Panther advance short of a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, Eunice had a comfortable lead, 21-0. The Cardinals once again made quick work of another touchdown drive. With 8:59 remaining in the second quarter, with a failed extra point, Eunice led 27-0.
With 3:31 remaining in the first half, on first and 10 on the Eunice 15-yard line, a fumble by Andre Rodriguez was recovered by Eunice, who took over on their 30. An unnecessary roughness penalty against Eunice drove them back to their own 15-yard line. The Cardinals were able to regain their field position, however, advancing to the Jal 34-yard line with consistently solid passing and rushing.
Jal’s next possession continued to be met largely with frustration. With 51 seconds remaining in the first half, Eunice led 27-0, and in spite of some great attempts at the long pass in the closing seconds of the half, the Cardinal defensive backfield was successful in blocking the Jal passes into or near the end zone before the half.
Zadyn Lujan intercepted the ball near midfield, with just under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. After a holding penalty on Lujan’s run after the interception, the Panthers had the ball on their 42-yard line. A flea flicker on the next play was completed to Lujan for a big gain of 24 yards, giving the Panthers a 1st down on the Cardinal 34-yard line. Unfortunately, the drive ended with a missed field goal attempt. The resulting turnover on downs ended up with the Cardinals pressing on downfield for another touchdown. With 3:35 remaining in the third quarter, Eunice led 34-0.
The Cardinals scored a touchdown once again with 9:50 remaining in the game, increasing their lead 41-0, in what had become an excruciatingly disappointing game for Jal.
Rodriguez caught an interception in the end zone with 2:54 remaining in the game, giving the Panthers one last shot at scoring. Rodriguez received a short pass over the middle from Ornelas, running it out to near midfield, but a block in the back penalty against Jal brought the ball back to the 6-yard line, giving Jal a 2nd and 24 situation. In spite of several “Hail Mary” passes in the last minute of the game, none of those prayers were positively answered. Final score was Eunice 41, Jal zero.
The Panthers travel to Texico this Friday to face the Wolverines (8-0).
