Florin Founders as the Vikings Upset the Panthers
September 10, 2024

The Panthers jumped on the Yellow Bus and traveled over Highway 99 just a short distance to Valley High. Florin and Valley have had a crosstown rivalry since 1989. Valley showed up to play. Florin should have stayed on the bus. 

The Valley Vikings stunned the Florin Panthers 18-0 in the Greater Sacramento League opener. 

In earlier games when Florin has had some success, the Panthers capitalized on opportunities. In this one Florin looked like they couldn’t complete a pass against air. The Panthers continued to subject themselves to self-inflicted wounds resulting from mental mistakes and the inability to play comfortably while being uncomfortable. 

Florin dropped two balls down the sidelines with not a Viking in sight. In the second half Florin’s Erin Foster broke loose on another long run to paydirt, but Florin was called for a legitimate unnecessary illegal block. The Panthers had a Pick 6 inside the Valley red zone, but dropped the ball. 

On a nifty play, Florin QB Jayda Lewis threw a dart to Zavanna Payne who pitched the ball to Lamia Perkins on a beautiful Hook and Ladder. Perkins raced 20 yards before safety Dynasty Montgomery found a way to pull Perkins’ flag. 

Inside the Red Zone, one play later, Florin was intercepted. The Panthers were done. 

The Vikings gained confidence as the Delta Breeze began to blow from North to South. 

Captains from both teams meet at midfield.

Valley QB1 Aneisha Wright could spin the rock and at the end of the 1st half Wright began to feed Center India Williams. Florin Defensive Coordinator Noelle Marquez made an adjustment, but it didn’t matter. With 6 seconds left in the half, Williams snatched a ball in a sea of Panthers for a touchdown and the Vikings stole 6 points. 

Florin went into the half down 6-0. 

The second half was not better for the Panthers. 

Florin Head Coach Mike Harris went into his bag of tricks and pulled out the Double reverse pass, but the Delta Breeze knocked down another TD resulting in another interception. 

On the next play, Danae Dixon grabbed the pill from Wright on a simple fly sweep. Somehow three to four Panthers missed Montgomery’s flags, and Valley had a commanding 12-0 Viking lead. 

For the second time in a week, the Panthers believed the runner was out of bounds and stopped pursuing. Other Panther defenders assumed the runner's flag was pulled. Nevertheless, Dixon’s 45 yard dash compounded with Florin’s inability to move past setbacks was a recipe for disappointment and disaster. 

Captains

Valley scored again. 

Down 18-0 the Panthers wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide. 

Coach Harris in his post game interview with Elite Blue Chip said, “I learned we can’t throw into the wind. Balls were knocked down. We had opportunities. We just didn’t get it done.”

Coach Marquez said, “Our ladies were in positions to make plays, for whatever reason, they didn’t. We will bounce back. Our girls will learn from this.” 

Harris added, “We were over confident going into the game.  We thought all we had to do was show up.   We preach ‘respect all, fear none’. It’s not our job to stop us. Tonight we had too many self-inflicted wounds.”

Panther defense had their hands full all game,

The interview ended as Harris walked away shaking his head in disbelief. 

Harris mumbled to himself, “I have never lost to Valley in my life.”

The Panthers do not have any time to feel sorry for themselves. Florin will be eager to get that bad taste out of their mouths as they take on the Kennedy Cougars the following day at home. 

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