Defense Dominates, Florin Panthers of the Gridiron Shut out Lady Herd
September 25, 2024
The Lady Panthers of the Gridiron traveled to Thunder Stadium to take on the Elk Grove Herd. The bus dropped off the ladies on a beautiful day in Elk Grove park, where they had a motivational speech from their fearless leader. An hour later, The Panthers played their hearts out, were focussed and leaders on the team began to emerge.
The Panthers won the game 16-0 in decisive fashion as the defense stifled an Elk Grove offense the entire evening.
Coach Marquez was pleased after the game. “We were finally locked in. The defense dominated. Pitched a shutout. Couldn’t be more proud of the ladies”
Eleven players were in on flag pulls for Florin.
You guessed it. Paris Jones and Kat Doonan led the team again with flag pulls.
Coach Marquez' defense Pitches a Shutout against the Herd
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Zavanna Payne, Erin Foster, Janiya Brister, Hazel Her, A’Yahna Phillips, Emily Solis, Kaylonie Davis, Jazira Arteaga-Khandilyan, Kimia Rhinehart, and Veanna Flores all were in on tackles.
Foster had two interceptions on defense.
Foster was also the lady who got the Panthers going on offense.
Early in the drive, Foster swiveled down the heart of the Lady Herd defense for a large gain inside the red zone, but the Panthers stalled out time and time again.
Coach Harris said, “We have to punch it in when we get inside the 5 yard line. It’s tough in there because you cannot run and everything is compacted with little vertical space. We have to find a way to execute in order to score and add on extra points.”
The Panthers were inside the 6 yard line three times against the Herd, but came away with no points.
Zavanna Payne pulled in a TD and an Extra Point against the Herd
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The defense had to get the Panthers on the scoreboard. After Florin stalled out on the Her 2 yard line, Kat Doonan pulled a flag inside the end zone and the Panthers were on the board with a safety.
The Panthers led 2-0. The Panthers drove inside the 5 yard line two more times before it finally scored on a two yard throw to Zavanna Payne.
Coach Harris told Elite Blue Chip, “Zavanna made a great catch. The ball was tipped but she found a way to make the much needed catch in the end zone.”
Jayda Lewis getting loose on option against the Herd
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Payne made another amazing catch on the extra point.
QB1 Jayda Lewis threw a ball down and away where only Payne could catch it and she plucked it 3 inches off the ground for the extra point.
In the second half, Foster would not be denied. The Senior captain went in motion across the formation and ran the flat to the front cone for a touchdown. Lewis hit her with a perfect ball and the Panthers were up 16-0.
The way the defense was playing, the lead was insurmountable.
That game should have been 35-0. We have to score when we get in there. We have to be better” QB1 Jayda Lewis said. “Clock it.”
Erin Foster slithers into the end zone for another Panther TD
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The Panthers take on the Foothill Mustangs for a 7:15PM start on the road the following night. The upstart Mustangs will test the Panthers in a Greater Sacramento League contest that will determine if the Lady Panthers of the Gridiron are Pretenders or Contenders.
Lady Panther Football
We’re ALL in!
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