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Superior Panthers
It’s understandable that some would consider the Superior football team rebuilding, especially following the graduation of a core group that flirted with a state championship the last two years.
I said it would be understandable, I didn’t say it was accurate.
In fact, I’d say it’s inaccurate.
The Panthers’ roster includes Marcos Bueno, arguably the best player in the 1A conference. It also includes multi-sport athlete Steven Ybarra, a sophomore lineman last year, who had a stellar youth career at quarterback before being tabbed as the Panthers’ starter this season.
The Panthers possess enough talent to consider 2017 a reloading season, not a rebuilding season.
“This team has a lot of potential but is very inexperienced,” Superior head coach Ryan Palmer wrote in an email to the Superior Sun. “We will improve each day.”
In addition to Bueno and Ybarra, Cedric Mendoza, Jesus Castellanos, Gabe Otero and Adam Navarrette will be two-way starters this season.
Daniel McConnell, Kale Major, Gabe Castillo, and Benji Hernandez will also be key contributors.
“Football is a simple game,” answered Palmer when asked what the keys to his team’s success are this season. “A team that is disciplined, has good fundamentals, and sound technique will win more then they lose.
“It comes down to tackling, blocking and making plays,” he continued. “We must do the little things right on a consistent basis to have success.”
The Panthers opened their season with a 34 – 26 victory on Friday, Aug. 18, against Trivium Prep.
“There are a lot of questions that will be answered on Friday,” Palmer said before the season opener.
With the benefit of hindsight it appears most of the answers were positive.
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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