JJHS Football Team Finishes Season 6-1
By John Earp
Last Saturday the Jal Junior High Football Team delivering a punishing loss to the Artesia Bulldogs in Artesia, finishing their season with only one loss, to their archrivals, the Eunice Cardinals.
About halfway through the second quarter, the Panthers led 32-0, with the Bulldog Offense and Defense not being up to snuff in any way. With 2:30 remaining in the second quarter, the Panthers had extended their lead to 38-0 with an option resulting in a touchdown. At halftime, the Panthers were completely dominating the Bulldogs, 40-0. Arian Lujan intercepted a Bulldog pass on the first offensive play of the second half, giving the Panthers the ball about midfield. Zaine Vega caught a pass from #2 on the Panthers’ first offensive play of the second half for a big gain of about 25 yards, down to the Bulldog 25-yard line.
Jayden Cervantes took the ball up through the middle for a touchdown. The point-after attempt was successful, and with the third quarter just getting started, the Panthers led 47-0. The Panthers began sending more of their second string players in at that point, with the Bulldog quarterback finally completing a touchdown pass near the end of the third quarter from about the Jal 25-yard line, thus preventing a shutout. Two-point conversion was good. Artesia trailed 47-8. Arian Lujan ran the ball down the right sideline for an apparent touchdown, but unfortunately it was called back due to a holding penalty on the Panthers. The final score was 47-8 with another big win for the Jal Junior High Panther Football Team.
The team’s outstanding talent and game-winning skills bodes well for the high school football program in the years to come. Coach Victor Soliz said of his team, “The kids played extremely well. I just drove the bus!!! I was very proud of ‘em.”
The junior high team was called up to the junior varsity team to play this Thursday the 23rd versus Pathway Academy in Big Spring, Texas.