by 
Superior Sun
The Panthers kept it rolling last week, defeating Ft. Thomas in their home opener, 50 – 8. It was their first back-to-back wins since starting the 2012 season with wins against Ray and Ft. Thomas. The Panthers will play their toughest game so far this season later this week when they travel to Pima to face the second-ranked Roughriders.
But before looking ahead to Friday’s test, let’s look back at how the Panthers cruised past the Apaches last week.
Sophomore quarterback Gage Cruz threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He also caught one touchdown and led the team with 79 rushing yards. Edgar Pacheco and Austin Navarrette each threw for a touchdown as well. Running back Michael Salazar rushed for 77 yards and one touchdown, averaging almost 13 yards per carry. He also had one receiving touchdown. Matthew Zavala and Austin Navarrette (2) also had touchdown receptions. Zavala led the team with 94 receiving yards.
“It all comes with hard work,” Cruz answered when asked about the Panthers’ performance so far this season. “Last year we were young and inexperienced but that’s no excuse. This year we’re experienced, we know what it takes to be a good team – a winning team. So far, we’re doing what we need to. Hopefully we can keep it up.”
The Panthers’ defense extended their opponents scoreless streak to seven quarters before the Apaches scored in the fourth quarter. Jalon Murray, Elias Olmos and Marcos Bueno each picked off passes thrown by the Apaches. Murray returned his interception 45 yards for a defensive touchdown. Sophomore Edgar Pacheco led the team with 14 tackles.
“Overall it was a great team effort and I was proud of the way our kids went out and executed,” Panthers’ head coach Ryan Palmer said after the game. “Our defense played extremely tough (and) our offense was very efficient.”
The Panthers are playing with a tremendous amount of confidence and it’s translated to two straight lopsided wins. Palmer was asked if he’s concerned his still young team might become overconfident.
“I think a little confidence is good for any team,” he answered. “Our players understand they are having success right now because of the hard work they have been putting in at practice. I can promise you that our players will stay humble and hungry.”
The Panthers are aware of what’s on the line this week against Pima. It’s an opportunity for them to show they are team to be reckoned with in 2014.
“It’s always tough to play on the road,” Cruz told the Superior Sun. “But the way we’ve been playing, and I hope we can keep it up, we can go (to Pima) and get a victory over the number two team in the state.”
Friday’s game at Pima is scheduled for 7:00 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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