I hate to say it, but the Pasadena Panthers were shut-out by the Gladiators, losing 28-0 yesterday at Baldwin Park High School in the Championship game. Earlier this year, the Panthers faced the Gladiators and beat them 13-8, so what happened?
Khmori House, Offensive Coordinator, admits that although defense was unable to stop the run, the Gladiators were playing a handicapped offense. Chris Byers (running back and corner), the Reggie Bush of Jr. All American football this year (in my opinion), fractured his ankle in the previous game and was a huge loss for the Panthers on both sides of the football. Caleb Devine, a fullback and linebacker, sat out most of the first half with a cut to the finger, while the Gladiators scored two touchdowns. Losing key playmakers is always a difficult task to overcome and without the speed of Byers and the strength and power of Devine, the Gladiators appeared to be the dominant team on the field.
The Panthers were faced with a daunting task the week prior, having to change their game play without their key player Chris Byers in the lineup. During the first series it looked as though they had figured it out, but with some key drops on offense the Gladiators were able to stay in the game and score first. The Panthers were unable to answer the first touchdown and for the first time this season the Panthers faced the half with no points on the board. And obviously, it only got worse and the Gladiators were victorious in the end.
I personally can't wait for next year....looks like we have ourselves a local rivalry and the Panthers must redeem themselves. Lets not forget that the Panther's Jr. Pee Wee team wasn't expected to get as far as they did. Lets congratulate them on a stellar season and remind them that without the valleys their wouldn't be a mountain top so lets keep climbing!
This post isn't only to report but also to recruit. Bring your kids out next year and trust me they wont be the only one's having fun. Remember, a community that plays together, wins together...on and off the field!
Recruited in football as one of California's best two-way prospects, and ranked the 29th best prospect in the nation by scout.com, Lance Mitchell a John Muir High School graduate, is now playing for the Oregon State Beavers. Today, the Oregon State Beavers will face the Oregon Ducks in their final regular season game. By winning, Oregon State will have it's first Rose Bowl appearance since New Years Day in 1965. Lets cheer to bring one of Pasadena's own, Lance Mitchell, home for one of the biggest college bowl games, the Pasadena Rose Bowl. So....Let's Go BEAVERS!
