Florin Defeats Burbank 19-12 in Miraculous Comeback.
October 10, 2024

The Lady Panthers scored twice in 7 seconds to pull off one of the most insane comebacks in the young history of Florin Flag Football. 

Part of what makes any sports team or individual athlete successful is their undying belief that no matter how much the odds are stacked against them or how far behind they are, they can bounce back and win. These athletes may have been down, but you should never count them out, or, as Yogi Berra perfectly stated, “It ain’t over till it’s over." 

Zavanna Payne, Jayda Lewis, Estefania Ortiz and Janiya Brister are that kind of athlete. 

With 23 seconds left in the game, it looked bleak. The Panthers were down 12-6 in a game that somehow got away. 

On 4th down, 72 yards from the end zone, Payne ran a go route down the sidelines against a defense designed to stop the deep ball. It didn’t matter. QB1 Jayda Lewis threw a perfect ball to Payne who plucked the ball out of the air. Without breaking stride Zav was gliding into the endzone. The junior receiver sprinted to the end zone like a gazelle.

Payne had 5 catches for 160 yards on the night. 

“I had an out of body experience when Zavanna caught that ball. I was literally floating down the sidelines”, Coach Marquez told Elite Blue Chip. 

The Lewis to Payne 72 yard touchdown strike tied the ballgame, but the Panthers needed the extra point to avoid overtime. 

On the extra point attempt, Lewis threw another dime - this time to Estefania Ortiz who motioned out of the backfield and down the sidelines, making a great catch ‘high pointing’ the perfectly thrown spiral to the back cone giving Florin a 13-12 lead. 

With 12 seconds left in regulation, Burbank tried to push the ball downfield. Janiya Brister intercepted the ball and went “pick 6…like” to the House. The Florin Faithful that were there in attendance lost their minds as did their head coach screaming, “Lets Go!” at the top of his lungs. 

Panther Defense trying to catch #2

Offensive threats Foster and Brister play defense as well. Foster had 8 flag pulls as Florin’s strong safety lurking in the box. 

It was Brister’s league leading 11th interception of the season and the nail in the Titan coffin. 

The Panthers pulled off a miraculous victory against a team they had beat previously 32-6. The game was not supposed to be this close. 

The pregame vibe was good!

The Lady Panthers were bestowed a gift by Coach Harris before the game: Pink and White Camo Pop Off Flags. The ladies were elated. 

The Panthers scored on the first drive making it look easy. A little Erin Foster on the ground, ending in a Jayda Lewis 18 yard strike to Aneesa Perkins for a touchdown and Florin was up 6-0. 

Then things went south. 

Panther offense on the field

On the next few drives the Panthers found ways to self-destruct. Florin kept Burbank hanging around: Penalties, dropped balls, missed throws and flat out inability to execute left Burbank feeling optimistic. 

Then Burbank running back Regina Karley carved her way through the Panther defense for a touchdown and the game was tied 6-6. 

“We flat out missed flags. We had four players miss on that play- on a ‘dive’. Unacceptable”, Coach Harris said in the post game presser. “I don’t care if she was flag guarding.”

Karley did not play in the first game and gave Burbank a different dimension in this one. 

“#2 can fly, but that is why we need to hunt as a pack and do a better job with containment and angles”, Coach Harris exclaimed. 

On the next drive Karley scored again. Multiple Florin defenders missed flags again and the Lady Panthers were absolutely stunned. 

The score was Burbank 12 and Florin 6. 

With Burbank prematurely celebrating on the sidelines and time running out, the Panthers pulled off the stunner. Payne, Lewis, Brister and Ortiz all played their best ball when it counted the most. 

Highpoint catch where no one else can get it.

“This experience has been so empowering for our girls. They are realizing that anything is possible if you believe and more is possible when you do it as a family”, Coach Marquez iterated. 

“It's hard to believe, if you have never done it before. Now they have.” Coach Harris said. 

Florin in recent games have found a way to win, victorious in 6 out of the last 7 games. After a turbulent mid season with outside noise and dissension, the Panthers have come together.

“We have to continue to ‘find a way’ and run the table: Wins over Johnson, Armijo, and Foothill.  When we do that we will have earned an opportunity to extend our season (SJS Section Playoffs)”, Coach Harris explained. 

With two weeks left in the season, the Panthers are in a three way tie for 3rd place in the Greater Sacramento League. The Panthers are looking to redeem themselves as they play their most important games of the season. 

Florin will take on Johnson Tuesday and Armijo Thursday, both games on the road. The Panthers will also take on Sheldon in the Cancer Awareness game at Panther Park on Wednesday. 

Panther PRIDE. We’re ALL in!

#catfight