by 
Superior Panthers
Neither a four-hour bus ride, a lightning delay, nor Valley Union could slow state-title contender Superior last Friday night. The Panthers dominated for the second-straight game, defeating the Blue Devils, 54 – 0.
In two games so far, the Panthers have not allowed a point, outscoring their opponents, 104 – 0.
As usual, Superior started fast, jumping out to a 40 – 0 lead at the end of the first quarter and they cruised from there. Four different players scored one rushing touchdown, including Kale Major, Gabriel Otero, Steven Ybarra, and Adam Navarrette. Ybarra also threw for three touchdowns, one each to Jared Moreno, Otero, and Cedric Mendoza, a senior.
“We came out sharp,” Superior head coach Ryan Palmer said. “(The long) bus ride and a weather delay; I think that says a lot about this team’s mental toughness.”
A year after allowing only eight points or fewer in six of its 11 games, including three shutouts, the Superior defense is picking up where it left off in 2017.
Ybarra and Navarrette led the Panthers with five tackles apiece against Valley Union while Matthew Diaz-Gonzales (2), Ybarra (2) and sophomore Marc Mendoza (1) combined for five sacks. Mendoza also recovered a fumble.
The Panthers forced five turnovers in the win. In addition to Mendoza’s fumble recovery were four interceptions, including a pair by sophomore Andrew Martinez and one each by Otero and Jesus Castellanos.
“These guys play well together,” answered Palmer, when asked to attribute the defensive success. “Every player has a job and they trust each other to do their job.
“When a talented group of individuals plays this well together, good things happen. Even our twos and threes, who have played the entire second-half of both games, have played disciplined.”
The Panthers finally open their home season this week and they face a major upgrade in competition with Bagdad’s visit on Friday night.
“Bagdad has been one of the best programs in the state since I have been coaching (11 years),” Palmer said. “Its tradition is strong, and it demands respect.
“The kids are excited to play our home opener against one of the top teams in the state. Games like this make a team that much more prepared for a run in November.”
Friday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7 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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