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Ray stops Superior just short of the 30 yard line. James Carnes | Superior Sun
Superior’s Matthew Zavala for the catch.
James Carnes | Superior Sun
A Ray Bearcat trips up the Superior Panthers to stop the play. James Carnes | Superior Sun
Superior’s Matthew Zavala colliding with a Ray player as the ball gets away from the both of them.
James Carnes | Superior Sun
Superior Sun
Midway through the second quarter of Friday’s Copper Helmet game versus seventh-ranked Ray it appeared the tenth-ranked Panthers were making a statement, leading the Bearcats, 20 – 0. At that point, the game had all the makings of a signature win, but things changed in a hurry as the Bearcats went on to score 34 unanswered points in a 34 – 32 victory.
“(We had) way too many penalties and it cost us the game,” Panthers’ head coach Ryan Palmer said after the disappointing loss. “When we’re up 20 – 0 we must stay focused and disciplined.”
Despite giving up a 20-point lead, the Panthers had their chance to win, battling back to pull within two points late in the game. A successful 2-point conversion was nullified after the Panthers were called for a penalty, one of many that ultimately cost them.
During the Bearcats run of 34 unanswered points, the Panthers turned the ball over three times and were called for several penalties. Despite everything seemingly against them, the Panthers hung in.
“Our kids fought back and almost overcame (the mistakes),” Palmers said. “It was a very hard fought game and both teams competed to the very end.”
Panthers’ QB Gage Cruz rushed for 158 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw for a touchdown on a pass play to Matthew Zavala, who finished the game with nine receptions for 187 yards. Sophomore running back Edgar Pacheco rushed for 98 yards in the game.
Pacheco and Jalon Murray led the Panther’s defense with 12 and 10 tackles, respectively. Elias Olmos and Marcos Buena each recovered fumbles on defense. Olmos also recorded an interception.
The Panthers will look to end their two-game losing streak this week when they host Joseph City. The Wildcats are 1 – 3 and enter Friday’s game off a 56 – 6 loss to third-ranked Mogollon last week. Friday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 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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