FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON AT CITRUS

The Panthers opened the 2022 football season on the road Saturday, traveling to Citrus College to take on the Fighting Owls.

Chaffey took an early lead, scoring a touchdown on their first drive.  After picking up the opening kickoff ball at their own 43 yard line, the Panthers took 8 plays to get the ball all the way downfield to score the first TD of the game.  Freshman Tayvonne Miller moved the ball 27 yards including the final 5 yard push into Citrus' endzone.  The Panthers held the lead deep into the first quarter when Citrus scored a TD with no extra points to tie the game.  Less than two minutes into the 2nd period, Citrus scored again and picked up a 2-point conversion to take the score to 14-6.  Minutes later a 23-yard field goal by Jacob Meneses shortened the gap to five points (14-9).

Down by five at the half, the Panthers regrouped and after several back-and-forth possessions, the Panthers managed another TD plus PAT to take a 2-point lead (16-14).  Quarterback Nicholas Poulos passed and rushed the ball a total of 52 yards for his first collegiate TD. 

The Panthers were able to expand that lead to 23-14 after a 4th quarter opening drive culminated in Chaffey's third and final touchdown of the game.  Citrus answered back immediately taking the score to a worrisome 23-21.  Another field goal by Meneses gave the Panthers another three points and took the score to 26-21.  It looked like that would be the closing score for the teams but the Fighting Owls managed a late scoring drive with a minute left in the game putting Citrus back in the lead up by three.  A last ditch field goal attempt by the Panthers with three seconds remaining was off the mark and gave Citrus the season opening victory.

The Panthers host their first home game of the season Saturday against the East LA Huskies, kickoff 6pm.