ANOTHER DOUBLE DIGIT WIN FOR PANTHER FOOTBALL
The Panthers hosted their home opener tonight, defeating Victor Valley 37-5. The Rams took an early lead with a field goal followed 10 seconds later by a safety taking the score to 5-0 just 8 minutes into play. It took until the 2nd period for the Panthers to find their groove starting with a short Greg Jordan run into the endzone for the Panthers' first lead of the game. Chaffey never let up from there, holding the Rams to their original five points. The combo of Caleb Arreola and Javian Lofton-Wilson gave Chaffey two touchdowns, one in the 2nd and one in the fourth. Greg Jordan brought in his 2nd TD in the third off a 14-yard pass by Arreola. In the final quarter of play, sophomore Maximillan Davila came in at QB and claimed his first TD of the night off a 11-yard pass to tight end Shakell Brown closing out the game with a 37-5 win.
A series of fumbles by both teams and three interceptions by the Chaffey squad (Hassani Alderson, Zen Gonzales, and Justin Armendariz) kept the possession changing throughout all four quarters. Armendariz' 4th quarter interception and subsequent 25 yard return by Jared Vanderburg put the Panthers in position to score the final TD of the game. Caleb Arreola threw 12:26, 213 yards. Davila was a rushing powerhouse, plowing through the Rams D-line seven times for 46 yards. Greg Jordan led the Panthers with 71 yards rushing on the night. Receivers Lofton-Wilson and Tyler Sweet combined for nearly 150 yards.
In what was a penalty heavy game for both sides (18 combined for 211 yards), the Panthers have much to cleanup before next week's game against Mt SAC according to Coach Hadaway. "We can't make the mistakes we made today and expect to beat one of the top teams in the state so we need to get these kids focused. I feel good about the win today and we'll get back at it tomorrow."
Last year, Chaffey delivered the Mounties their first shutout loss in recent program history. This year, the Panthers look to take that spirit on the road for another rival win - Saturday 9/21 6pm kickoff at the Covina District Field. The men return home Saturday, September 28th to host Pasadena City College for our Annual Blackout Game.