by 
Superior Sun
The Jr. Panthers football team reached the CJHL football playoffs after a win in their final game and some help from other teams. As a result, they clinched the final spot in the playoffs and had to take on top-seeded Globe in the first round last Tuesday.
The Jr. Panthers gave the Tigers a scare, proving to be a difficult out for a team that had beaten most opponents by 30 points or more. The Tigers eventually defeated the Jr. Panthers, 38 – 30.
“We fell short at the end,” Jr. Panthers’ head coach Manuel Ortega said after the game. “But I’m very proud of my boys. They played their hearts out and gave it their all.”
Just like he had all season, Steve Ybarra led the Panthers’ offense, accounting for four touchdowns – three passing and one rushing.
Ybarra threw touchdown passes to Sammy Lopez, Benji Hernandez, and Jesus Castellanos.
The Jr. Panthers came out inspired at the start of the game. A safety on defense gave them the lead over the Tigers at halftime, 18 – 16.
The Tigers were too much in the second half, outscoring the Jr. Panthers, 22 – 12.
Despite the difficult loss to end their season, Coach Ortega said he couldn’t have asked his team for any more. As he said earlier, they “gave it their all.”
“That’s all a coach can ask for,” he said. “They get the credit because they’re the ones who have to go out and play.”
“We had a good year even if it didn’t end the way we wanted,” he concluded. “I’m very proud of my boys.”
Congratulations on a great season, Jr. Panthers!
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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