by 
Superior Sun
Two years ago the Panthers football teams finished the 2013 season with only one win and a number of lopsided losses.
Despite the difficult results there was reason for optimism as more than half the roster was made up of freshmen and sophomores. Head coach Ryan Palmer practiced patience with a core group of youngsters with the idea the Panthers were investing in the future.
Last season, perhaps unexpectedly, the Panthers made vast improvements, going 6 – 4 and reaching the playoffs, even advancing to the second round.
But it’s fair to say this upcoming season is the season most were looking forward to two seasons ago.
“I feel that this team is one of the most talented in the state at the skilled positions,” Palmer told the Superior Sun in an email. “We have speed, ability and experience. All are very important components of a great football team.”
“It’s exciting coming into this season and looking at how we’ve evolved into the team we are now,” said senior captain Eli Olmos, who was a sophomore on 2013 team. “We’re all on the same page and it’s a group of guys I wouldn’t trade for anyone else.”
Ironically, the Panthers will require contributions from young or inexperienced players to fill some open positions on the team, especially along the offensive line.
“To be a truly great team and make a playoff run you must have depth and strength,” Palmer said. “We are working on building depth with some of these younger players and will continue to improve on strength throughout the season.”
Palmer issued a challenge to his team to be “All In” during the offseason, putting in the extra work in the weight room and during summer passing leagues. The team responded with the best summer program Palmer has seen in his nine years as the school.
“This was the first year since I’ve been in high school that we’ve had a (full commitment) and enough guys to have a full scrimmage during the summer,” said Olmos, support Palmer’s claim. “You could tell we have different expectations this year. Our commitment has improved drastically over the last two years.”
It’s apparent the players believe they could be on the verge of special season and this, in fact, could be the year they’ve been waiting for. But don’t expect overconfidence to set in.
“This is a great group of young men. They have plenty of experience, they know what type of effort it takes win, and they know what it is like to lose,” Palmer said. “I am not worried about them being over confident.”
Nicolaus Cruz returns at quarterback for the Panthers and likely will be in the conversation for Player of the Year honors later this season. He’s the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for almost 2,000 and 24 touchdowns in addition to rushing more than 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014.
Olmos is one of six receivers who caught a touchdown pass last season and figures to be among the team leaders in that category this season. On defense, the senior team captain led the Panthers with three interceptions.
Junior Edgar Pacheco rushed for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, but his biggest contribution was on the defensive side, where he led the Panthers with 104 tackles.
Junior Jalon Murray led the team with nine sacks a year ago.
Indeed, this could be a special season for the Panthers and it kicks off on Aug. 28 at Ft. Thomas. The season opener is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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