Florin Outlasts Foothill to Hold on 6-0
September 26, 2024

Florin traveled to Foothill HS for a ‘barnburner’ or  a very exciting game or event. 

The game ended with Foothill at the Florin 2 yard line down 6-0 with no time left on the clock! Wow! What an ending. This time in the favor of the Lady Gridiron Panthers. 

Florin won a valuable Greater Sacramento League game against an upstart Foothill Mustangs team with speed and talent 6-0.

For the second consecutive night the Panthers pitched a shutout. For the second consecutive night the Florin offense struggled in the red zone (inside the critical area of the field close to the end zone). 

“We actually call it the Green Zone. Red Zone means STOP and we can’t keep doing that if we are going to win ball games”, Coach Harris said to Elite Blue Chip in his post game interview. 

Again, the Panthers were able to get inside the 6 yard line two times without scoring. The last time in the 2nd half giving the Mustangs one last chance to win the game. 

“We left them hanging around. When you do that the other team gets confidence. We had a chance to put the game away early, but again did not take advantage of opportunities”, Coach Harris said shaking his head. 

With 3 minutes left in the game, the Panthers ran the ball three times and forced the Foothill coaches to use all their time outs. Florin punted with 53 seconds left in the game. 

Reminiscent of the Kennedy game, the girls had been there before, but this time were determined to not let it happen again. 

“Not tonight Coach”, Kat Doonan exclaimed while hopping onto the field for the last drive. 

Wooooooweeeeee, It was close. 

Foothill resorted to throwing the ball up and hoping a Mustang came down with it. It happened two times. The last throw down the middle. 

“They had been running the same play, I tried to pick it, but atleast I was able to pull her flag with time running out. Just happy to help my team win”, Erin Foster said. 

Foster, a two way player, also scored the first and only touchdown of the game early in the first half. 

“They (Foothill) came out in man coverage, thought they could match up with us. Problem is it's hard to stop the run. Erin carved them for two big runs (shovel pass) and a touchdown”, Harris explained. 

Foster scored on a 30 yard run down the Mustang sideline and the Panthers had a 6-0 lead they would never relinquish. 

Foster had 4 catches for 60 yards and a TD. The Senior captain also had an interception and 4 tackles on defense. 

“So far this year, Erin has been our MVP. I have no idea where we would be without Erin”, Coach Harris explained to Elite Blue Chip. 

QB1 Jayda Lewis was 8 for 18 for `11 yards and 1 touchdown.

 “Jayda is learning the nuances between a Cover 2 defense and a Cover 3. Seeing man coverage at the goaline. There are different reads she (Jayda) has to make depending on the looks we see”, Coach Harris pontificated. 

Lewis made the read and the throw to Janiya Brister for a big 24 yard catch down the sideline. 

“This is when Jayda has to squeeze it in there on a rope. We can’t have air on that throw in cover 2”, Harris explained. 

Brister added another interception giving her 8 on the season.

“Janiya is our eraser back there at safety. If anyone gets behind, Janiya is there to get a pick”, Coach Marquez added. 

The Lady Panther defense has been the story the last two games, pitching shutouts in two consecutive games. 

Junior linebacker, Kat Doonan came to play pulling a team leading 10 flags. 

Hazel Her, Kimia Rhinehart, Paris Jones, Katelyn Chan, A’yahna Phillips and the aforementioned Brister and Foster all recorded flag pulls. 

“Coach Marquez’ defense has been outstanding”, Coach Harris said. “Do you know how hard it is to pitch two shutouts in a row? Not easy.”

“They are beginning to play as a team, understanding their roles, angles and what kind of intensity and focus they need to compete”, Coach Marquez added.

The Florin defense will have to be elite to stop a formidable Falcon offense in their next game next Tuesday on the road in Fairfield. It's going to be tough to get a win on the road against the Falcons who come into the game ranked 34 in the section with an 11-4 record. The Panthers come in with a 65 ranking and a 6-6 overall record. 

Moreover, The Panthers have a tough week, when they take on the Elk Grove Herd in a rematch and the Valley Vikings on Thursday in the first Pink Out Game of the Month. 

Every game from here on out will be a catfight. 

See you there. Panther PRIDE. I’m ALL in!