Florin Loses 18-13 to Johnson in Heartbreaking Fashion
October 15, 2024

Florin drove north to 35th street to play Johnson in a must win for the Panthers. If the Lady Panthers were going to make a push to a Sac Joaquin Section playoff birth, they had to beat the Warriors. It didn’t happen. In heartbreaking fashion, Florin gave up a late touchdown to Johnson up 13-12 giving the Warriors an 18-12 victory. 

The game started well for Florin. The Panthers scored on its opening drive. After forcing Johnson to three and out, Florin QB1 Jayda Lewis rolled out on a boot pass and hit Janiya Brister on a Comeback. The Warrior defensive back had good position and fought for the football, but Brister wanted it more. The sophomore two way player snatched the ball at the high point then tightroped down the sideline for a Florin Panther 54 yard touchdown!

The Brister touchdown gave the Panthers a 6-0 lead. 

On the conversion, Lewis hit Brister again. 

“Janiya motioned away as if she was going across the formation, but on the snap she gets back into the flat”, Coach Harris explained. 

The Panthers were up 7-0

Florin seemed to be in control for most of the game. 

“We decided to switch it up and installed a defense to stop their run and short passing game, while still applying pressure”, Coach Marquez told Elite Blue Chip. 

Our defense played well enough to win.

Paris Jones led both teams with 11 solo tackles. Kat had 10 pulls. Janiya Brister had 9 pulls, Erin Foster had 6.

Aneesa Perkins came up with a beautiful interception as she undercut a seam route, then was one flag pull away from returning it for a touchdown. 

Then the Kat, El Gato ran into an interception, when she was perfectly in position to stop an option pitch. 

“The ball literally fell in my lap. I had no choice, but to catch it”, Cat screamed. 

Janiya Brister Scored early in the game after scoring on a comeback route that led to a sprint to the endzone

In another catfight, Johnson scored right before the half to make it 7-6. 

The elusive and slippery Erin Foster scampered on a 30 yard touchdown run, slicing through every Warrior defender to pay dirt!

“Erin has been our Rock! Amazing player, better person”, Coach Harris bragged.

With a 13-12 lead, the Panthers had the ball inside Warrior territory with 4 minutes left. 

“We have to convert that first down and at least have an opportunity to take time off the clock and score a game winning touchdown to take their heart”, Coach Harris exclaimed.

It didn’t happen. 

Erin Foster scoring AGAIN.

In another catfight, Johnson scored right before the half to make it 7-6. 
Florin scored to open up the 2nd half. 

The elusive and slippery Erin Foster scampered on a 30 yard touchdown run, slicing through every Warrior defender to pay dirt! 

“Erin has been our Rock! Amazing player, better person”, Coach Harris bragged.

With a 13-12 lead, the Panthers had the ball inside Warrior territory with 4 minutes left. 

“We have to convert that first down and at least have an opportunity to take time off the clock and score a game winning touchdown to take their heart”, Coach Harris exclaimed.

It didn’t happen. 

After dropping a pitch and a wide open ball down the middle, the Panthers could not convert, giving the Warriors hope. 

With time running out Johnson drove down inside the Florin 30 yard line, when a controversial Pass interference call gave Johnson the game, placing them at the front door, 1st and goal at the Panther 5 yard line. Johnson eventually scored, stealing the game from the Panthers. 

Premier rush linebacker Kimia Rhinehart left with a concussion when she rain into Janiya Brister in both persuit of a flag.

“The officials absolutely impacted the outcome of the game.  Zavanna broke on the ball and has every right to the football. There was contact, but you could argue she ran into us”, Coach Marquez argued in the post game press conference. 

The Warriors scored and it was all over but the crying. 

On another note: premier rush and middle linebacker Kimia Rhinehart smashed into Janiya Brister on the last play of the game. Both players were injured on the play. Rhinehart had a head injury and is in concussion protocol. Brister had a gash inside her cheek and is day to day. 

“We have to rebound tomorrow. That is what sports teach you. It doesn't matter if we win or lose, we have to stay in the process.  Next woman up mentality. Success is not a destination. You gotta pay the rent every day”, Coach Harris preached. 

It never gets easier for the Panthers who will take on the Sheldon Huskies in Florin’s Cancer Awareness game the following day. 

Panther PRIDE. We are ALL in!