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Panthers’ QB Nicolaus Cruz (12) finds running room on the outside aginst the Lobos during Friday’s Homecoming win. James Carnes | Sun
Panthers’ WR Elias Olmos (25) add yards after the catch against Hayden last Friday night. James Carnes | Sun
Superior Sun
The Superior football team may or may not have needed to win last Friday’s Homecoming game against Hayden to reach the State Playoffs. But removed all doubt by crushing the visiting Lobos, 58 – 0.
The Panthers, who finished with a 5 – 3 record, proved throughout the season they were worthy of a playoff berth. They are ranked ninth in the final AIA rankings. They’ll travel to Glendale to take on eighth-ranked Glendale Prep in the first-round of the Division VI playoffs this Saturday, October 25, 2014.
“Our kids played well,” Panthers’ head coach Ryan Palmer said after Friday’s win. “I was happy with our team effort.”
Sophomore quarterback Gage Cruz scored six touchdowns against the Lobos, throwing for two and rushing for four more.
Michael Salazar and Edgar Pacheco each added rushing touchdowns. Pacheco, along with Matthew Zavala, caught a touchdown pass from Cruz.
Freshman Marcos Bueno has two sacks for the Panthers.
After finishing 1 – 7 last year, Palmer counted on the experience and growing pains to payoff this season. It did, and now the Panthers are one of only 12 teams still playing.
“I am extremely proud of this team for making the playoffs,” he said. “It’s a huge deal for these kids and this program. They worked extremely hard to get here and I know that we will continue to work hard and make a run in this tournament.”
The Panthers and the Griffins had one common opponent this season – Joseph City. Both teams roughed up the Wildcats. The Panthers beat them on September 26, 62- 42. Glendale Prep won on September 5, 56 – 26.
“Glendale Prep is a team that has a lot of speed,” Palmer said. “Their running back is probably faster than any back we have faced all year. They are a solid team overall.”
Health is always an important factor during the playoffs and the Panthers have a few players nursing minor injuries. Two players, Elias Olmos and Michael Salazar, are week-to-week, according to Palmer.
The Panthers are looking for their first playoff win since 2011. Sound fundamentals, discipline on defense, and timing in the passing game are keys to advancing to the next round.
For a number of the players on the team, this is their first time in the playoffs. Palmer said dealing with nerves is a non-issue for his team. They’ve worked hard all year and he expects them to be even more focused this week.
“Our goal is to be 1-0 at the end of each week,” Palmer said. “The extra pressure knowing that it is a playoff game, and if you lose you are done, should be used as fuel to work that much harder all week in practice.”
Palmer knew his team was a contender all season. After the loss to Gilbert Christian two weeks ago, he warned his was a team that opponents would not want to have to face in the playoffs. He knows his team is dangerous and now they have a chance to prove it in the playoffs.
“It is a special time of year when playoffs start,” he said. “We know that we are here because of the hard work we put in all year. We know that we have to work that much harder if we want to continue playing.”
Saturday’s game at Glendale Prep is scheduled for 6:00 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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