Wolverines Whip the Panthers
By John Earp
The Jal Panthers traveled to Texico to face the Wolverines Friday night. The Wolverines were highly favored going into the game, and the game started out as one might expect, with Texico dominating the Panthers entirely in the first quarter, putting 21 points on the board in the first half of the first quarter. The Wolverine Defense shut down the Panther Offense, with the Panthers unable to gain much traction at all. With one minute forty seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Panthers had to punt from their own end zone, with the ball taking a Panther bounce to the Panther 25-yard line. The Wolverines then advanced eight yards on their first play of the drive, followed by an easy untouched touchdown on their next play, after a sixteen-yard run by number 10. With under a minute remaining in the first quarter, the Wolverines had extended their lead to 28-0. Everything was going Texico’s way, the Panthers were unable to catch any breaks whatsoever. At the end of the first, the Wolverines continued with an overwhelming lead, 28-0.
The Panthers began the second quarter with the ball in their possession on their own 32-yard line. The Wolverine Defense again negated the Panthers’ offensive drive, and on fourth down, the Panthers were once again forced to punt. A roughing-the-kicker penalty against Texico gave the Panthers the ball back on the Panther 46-yard line, breathing a bit of hope into the Panthers’ game. The Panthers were able to gain a first down on the Texico 41-yard line. The Panther Offense seemed to be turning a corner with 7:33 remaining in the second quarter. The Panthers penetrated to the Wolverine 25-yard line, showing they were indeed able to make progress with their running game. The Wolverines were able to slow the Panthers’ progress somewhat, and with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter, the Panthers faced a fourth and six situation on the Wolverine 21-yard line. The Panthers opted to have Isaac Salinas run the ball, but he was unable to get the first down, which resulted in a turnover on downs on the 18-yard line.
After a run resulting in a first down, the Wolverines then completed a 70-yard touchdown reception. After a successful point after attempt, Texico led 35-0. After the kickoff, Salinas unfortunately fumbled the return, resulting in a turnover in Texico’s favor. On the next play, Anthony Moses ran a 45-yard touchdown for Texico, untouched. The Wolverines then led 42-0 with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first half. The Panthers have unfortunately suffered from a rash of fumbles in the last couple of games.
Salinas ran the ball for 8 yards on the first play of the Panthers ensuing drive. He then got a first down for the Panthers were a 6-yard run. With the ball on the 38-yard line, the Panthers then gain one yard on a handoff. With 2:29 remaining in the first half, the Panthers needed a touchdown to avoid a mercy-rule end to the game. Salinas then attained another first down, moving the ball up the middle to near midfield. With 5 seconds remaining before halftime, the Panthers faced a third and seven situation, with the ball in their possession on the Texico 48-yard line. Time expired with the Panthers unable to get any points on the board, unfortunately. At halftime, Texico led 42-0.
With a squib kickoff to start the second half, the Panthers had the ball on their own 48-yard line. The Panthers were unable to move the ball more than a yard in their first three plays of the drive, and faced a 4th and 9 situation. The Panthers opted to punt, which moved the ball to the Wolverine 39-yard line. The Panthers then took a time out with 8:57 remaining in the third quarter. The Wolverine quarterback, number 10, took the ball around the end for a long run, moving the ball to the Panther 29-yard line. The Cross Fig of the Wolverines went ahead and put the ball in the end zone, once again, untouched. With 7:06 remaining in the third quarter, the Wolverines opted to kick, but then attempted a pass which failed, leaving the game in play, 48-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Wolverines kicked it into the end zone for a touchback. Salinas moved the ball four yards up the middle to the Panther 24-yard line. Salinas once again rushed for a gain of four yards. Zavala got around the left side for a first down for Jal. The Panthers kept up a solid ground game, moving the ball steadily up the field. With Texico so far in the lead, the clock continued to run. Zavala ran the ball for a first down on the Panther 47-yard line with under 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the Panthers fumbled the ball on the Wolverine 46-yard line, resulting in a turnover. The Wolverine Offense played to win in their ensuing drive, penetrating into the red zone, with a first down on the Panther 20-yard line. The Wolverines then would win with a 16-yard run around the right side of the field, ending the game with 9 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Final score was 54-0.