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Superior Panthers
Last year, the Superior Jr. High football team capped off an undefeated season by winning the Central Junior High League Championship. The Jr. Panthers finished last season a perfect 9 – 0 to claim the championship. On Tuesday, still undefeated Superior, which had won its last 16 games in-a-row dating back to last season, took on Ray in the 8-man CJHL Championship.
“I can’t say enough about the young men we have on the team this year,” Superior head coach Martin Navarrette told the Superior Sun. “They really stepped up this year and filled the shoes of some talented outgoing eighth-graders, not to mention we have five sixth-graders on the team this year.”
Ray, which is 5 – 3 on the season, entered Tuesday’s championship game coming off a playoff win against Hayden. Superior defeated Ray twice during the regular season, which figures to make a third victory the toughest yet, according to Navarrette.
“We beat Ray twice during the regular season, which could pose problems going into the championship game,” he said. “I’m sure they will be changing their scheme. I’m pretty sure that they will focus on our running game by stacking the box and blitzing often.”
If that is the Jr. Bearcats’ gameplan, the Jr. Panthers will be ready as Navarrette acknowledged the focus in practice leading up to Tuesday’s championship had been preparing for that scheme. He said his team would be ready to counter Ray’s attack.
Ray’s defense figures to have its full on both sides of the ball considering Navarrette says one of his team’s strengths in the defense.
“We are very stingy with points,” he said. “If you score on us, you earned it. Our defense is fast and very hard hitting.”
The Jr. Panthers’ success during the last two seasons can be attributed to Navarrette, who knows a thing or two about winning championships, and what he calls a “great coaching staff.”
“(Our) staff is dedicated to the team and provides lots of knowledge,” he said.
The only thing that stands between the Panthers and a repeat CJHL Championship is a 17th-straight victory.
It’s been said: Never bet against a streak.
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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