by 
Superior Panthers
The No. 2-ranked Superior football team advanced to the semifinals of the 2016 AIA 1A State Playoffs following a lopsided 52 – 21 victory against No. 7 Joseph City last Friday night in Superior.
Senior quarterback Nicolaus Cruz threw for three touchdowns and rushed for three more to lead the way for the Panthers. Senior teammate Edgar Galindo ran for a score and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Marcos Bueno in the closing seconds of the first half, giving the Panthers a comfortable 34 – 6 lead at halftime.
“We haven’t played our best football yet,” Superior head coach Ryan Palmer said following the win. “Our effort and intensity was much better than the previous few weeks, but we still need to continue to build towards improving all aspects of the game.”
Collectively, the Panthers didn’t believe their performance during the last couple of games leading into last week’s playoff game was up to their standards. And though they acknowledge there is still room for improvement, Friday’s result was a lot closer to what’s expected.
“Having the bye week helped getting us back to clicking on all cylinders,” said Cruz, who continued to enhance his Player of the Year candidacy with 265 passing yards, 141 rushing yards and six touchdowns. “We were able to execute and when we do, we are very dangerous.”
Galindo finished the game with 104 rushing yards. Bueno and Dominic Perea each surpassed 100 receiving yards – Bueno with 161 yards on seven receptions and Perea with 104 on two catches. Perea’s numbers include a 69-yard touchdown reception on the game’s second play from scrimmage.
The Panthers reached the semifinals of last year’s playoffs, where they were knocked out by Valley Union, despite possessing one of the state’s most prolific offenses. Undoubtedly the difference between last year’s team and this year’s is the defense.
Superior has posted three shutouts this season, which is no small accomplishment in 8-man football, and has not surrendered more than 26 points in a game, most of them coming when the game was no longer in doubt.
“It all comes down to execution and fundamentals,” Palmer said about his team’s improved defensive play. “If we play assignment football and tackle well, we are tough to move the ball on.”
“A lot of the confidence comes from the work these kids put in the off season,” he added. “They have been working hard all year to be in this position.”
The Panthers came up with three turnovers during Friday’s game, an interception by Joseph Diaz-Gonzales and fumble recoveries by Galindo and Austin Navarrette. Bueno (2), Galindo and Steven Ybarra combined for four sacks against the Wildcats. Galindo and Navarrette each totaled a team-high 12 tackles in the win.
Next up for the Panthers is No. 3-ranked Williams at Maricopa High School this Saturday. The Vikings enter the semifinal playoff game with a record of 8 – 1, which includes going undefeated in their region and finishing a game ahead of Joseph City in the final standings. Williams’ only loss of the season came against No. 1-ranked Bagdad on Sept. 2, 56 – 22.
“Williams is a big, physical team with some very talented athletes,” Palmer said, looking ahead to this week’s game. “Their speed is better than any team we have faced this year, and they are bigger and stronger than any team we have played so far.”
“We have to have a great week of preparation and play our best game of the year to advance,” he continued. “This will be the toughest test so far, as it should be.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. The game is set to be played at Maricopa High School, 45012 W. Honeycutt Rd., Maricopa.
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.
by by