Football (2023-2024)
Panthers Fall Short to Pride in NCS Quarterfinals
November 11, 2023—On a sunny Saturday afternoon on the campus of Salesian High School in Richmond, California, the Varsity Football Team took on their long-time rival, the Salesian Pride, in the Quarterfinal Round of the North Coast Section (NCS) Division VI Playoffs. Both teams played each other in a very close contest in third week of the regular season at Saint Mary’s where the Pride would go on to win that game by the score of 18-14. Therefore, the Panthers had revenge on their minds with a trip to the NCS Semifinals on the line. However, it would be the Pride who would go on to defeat the Panthers for the second time this season by the score of 21-13, bringing the Panthers season to an end.
The Pride got on the board first thanks to an opening drive where they would only need two plays to find the end zone, giving them the early 7-0 lead in the 1st quarter. However, the Panthers offense would provide quite a response of their own for their opening drive thanks to their Senior Running Back, Elijah Hines, who would find the end zone after breaking numerous tackles, tying the score up at 7 apiece in the 1st quarter.
After both defenses settled in and prevented the opposing offenses from generating any big plays, the Pride would find the end zone again before halftime on a quarterback sneak, giving the Pride the 14-7 advantage.
In the 3rd quarter, the Panthers were successfully moving the ball into Salesian’s red zone, until a Panther pass was deflected and intercepted by the Pride’s defense, allowing their offense to move ball down the field and into the end zone following a short touchdown pass, extending their lead to 21-7.
In the 4th quarter, the Panthers should a sign of life as Sophomore Quarterback, Sutton Ralls, would find fellow Sophomore, Wyatt Swanson, on a short touchdown pass, cutting into the Pride’s lead by the score of 21-13. However, it would be too little, too late for the Panthers as the Pride’s offense would run the clock out, giving them the 21-13 win.
With the loss, the Panthers conclude their 2023 campaign with an overall record of 6-5. However, despite this defeat and losing a total of 14 senior players to graduation, there is a lot to look forward to with this Panthers’ squad next year as they will be returning a handful of both offensive and defensive players that had quite an impact for the team this year. Congratulations Panthers on a successful season.
Panthers Showcase Senior Day Dominance, Beat SPSV 42-14
November 4, 2023—On a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Brady Park on the campus of Saint Mary’s College High School, the Varsity Football Team took on the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins for their last home game of the regular season. Also, with this being the Panthers’ final home game, the team celebrated Senior Day where they honored 14 of their senior players for their hard work and dedication to the program prior to the start of the game. Seniors Samahdi Scott, Kamau Edwards, Elijah Hines, Luke Swanson, Elliott Jennings, Declan Zuber, Myles Kettler, Marley Filson, Devin Owens, Tyler Soto, Charles Higley, Evan Dolan-Quinn, Robert Ortiz, and Angel Rios were all honored during this celebration.
Following the Senior Day festivities, the Panthers would showcase a dominant performance as they would defeat their league rival by the score of 42-14. The Panthers would rely on what they do best, featuring a strong running game and a strong defense. The Panthers’ offensive outburst was thanks to Senior Marley Filson, who scored two rushing touchdowns on the day, as well as Seniors Kamau Edwards, Elijah Hines, and Samahdi Scott, who each recorded one touchdown on the day.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers would make life difficult for the Bruins’ offense as they would hold them to only 14 points for the game, making it the 8th time this season that the Panthers defense have kept opposing offenses to just 14 points or less. The Panthers also recorded 6 sacks on the day as well.
The Panthers will now head into postseason play with an opportunity for revenge as they will travel to Richmond to take on their long-time rival, the Salesian Pride, in the NCS Quarterfinal Round. The Pride and the Panthers faced off against each other earlier this season where the Pride defeated the Panthers by the score of 18-14. The NCS Quarterfinal Game is scheduled for this Veteran’s Day, November 11th, at 1pm.
Panthers Return to Win Column with Homecoming Victory
October 21, 2023—Following their tough loss against the Vallejo High Redhawks the previous week, the Varsity Football Team returned to the win column in dominant fashion as they would defeat the Richmond High Oilers by the score of 58-6 in their Homecoming game.
The Panthers re-established their strong rushing attack and aggressive defense in their victory. On the offensive side of the ball, Senior running backs, Elijah Hines, Samahdi Scott, and Myles Kettler, along with Sophomore running back, Marcus Hughes, accounted for most of the offensive success as they would all find the end zone on multiple occasions. Sophomore Quarterback, Sutton Ralls, chimed in on the offensive production as well as he would connect with Senior wideout, Devin Owens, for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers recorded multiple fumble recoveries, interceptions, and safeties to not only help shut down the Richmond offense, but also solidify the Panthers 58-6 Homecoming victory.
The Panthers will prepare for a short week as they will hit the road to take on the Maria Carrillo High Pumas of Santa Rosa in a nonleague battle. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, October 27th, at the 7:00pm.
Panthers Lose Tough Battle Against RedHawks
October 14, 2023—On a fairly cool evening at Corbus Field on the campus of Vallejo High School, the Varsity Football Team traveled from Berkeley to take on the Vallejo High RedHawks with hopes of strengthening their grip on 1st place in the Tri-County Athletic League (TCAL) standings. However, it would be the RedHawks’ night as they would go on to defeat the Panthers by the score of 24-13.
The first quarter proved to be uneventful as both teams would not score any points. However, the second quarter provided more excitement as the Panthers would be the first team to strike first in the contest thanks to a 5-yard touchdown run by Senior Wide Receiver and Strong Safety, Marley Filson, giving his team an early 7-0 lead. However, the RedHawk offense would respond with a touchdown of their own, as well as a successful two-point conversion, to give themselves an 8-7 lead over the Panthers. The RedHawks would have another opportunity to extend their lead before halftime, but it would be Filson who would end those hopes for the RedHawks as he would intercept a pass on the goal line, keeping the score at 8-7 at halftime.
In the second half of the game, the RedHawks would start on offense first and would take the ball to the end zone on a 70-yard touchdown pass and run, extending their lead to 16-7 following yet another successful two-point conversion attempt as well. The Panthers would then answer the RedHawk touchdown with a touchdown run of their own by Senior Running Back, Elijah Hines, cutting the Vallejo lead to 16-13.
The fourth quarter of the game proved to be an offensive struggle for both teams as both the RedHawk and Panther defenses would keep the opposing offenses out of the end zone. However, the RedHawks would put any hope of a Panther comeback to an end as they would find the end zone one more time to ultimately give them the 24-13 victory.
With the loss, the Panthers fall to 4-3 overall, and 1-1 in TCAL play. The Panthers will now look forward to getting back on track as they will host the Richmond High Oilers in the Panthers for their Homecoming Game. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, October 21st, at 1:30pm.
Panthers Win League Opener, Beat Eagles 42-12
October 6, 2023—On a very warm evening in Richmond, California, the Varsity Football team traveled to the campus of Kennedy High School to take on the Eagles in their Tri-Country Athletic League (TCAL) opener. In fact, it would be quite the league opener for the Panthers as they would go on to dominate the Eagles by the score of 42-12, opening TCAL play with a 1-0 record, and a 4-2 record overall.
Throughout their season, the Panthers’ running game has been the driving force for their offense. However, this evening showcased a balanced offensive attack, getting it done on the ground and in the air. Panthers Sophomore Quarterback, Sutton Ralls, would throw for two touchdowns on the evening to seniors, Elliott Jennings and Marley Filson. Senior running back, Elijah Hines, would also find his way on to the scoresheet with a rushing touchdown of his own.
The Panthers defense also maintained its aggressive and physical identity that it has established throughout the course of the season as they would only give up 12 points in the first half, and then hold the Eagles offense off the scoreboard in the second half, preserving the 42-12 victory.
The Panthers will now look to next Saturday, October 14th, as they will travel to Vallejo to take on the Vallejo High Redhawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Panthers Return to Win Column vs. Arroyo, Improve 3-1.
September 16, 2023—On a windy afternoon at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, CA, the Varsity Football Team returned to their winning ways, defeating the Dons in dominant fashion by the score of 42-8.
The Panthers offense set the tone on the second play of the game as Sophomore Quarterback, Sutton Ralls, connected with Senior Running Back, Samahdi Scott, on a 67-yard screen pass that found the endzone, giving the Panthers the early 7-0 lead. The Panthers would then do what they do best as they would execute a strong running game while playing tough defense, ultimately giving the Panthers the victory.
In fact, on the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers were relentless as they forced constant pressure on the Dons offense, forcing critical interceptions and fumbles that the team would eventually capitalize on.
The Panthers will now turn their attention to next Saturday, September 23rd, as they will play host to the undefeated Cardinal Newman Cardinals at Brady Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30pm.
Panthers Fall Short in Tightly Contested Matchup vs. Salesian
September 9, 2023—In a battle between longtime rivals on a warm Saturday afternoon at Brady Park, the Varsity Football team took on the Salesian Pride in an exciting and tense matchup that went down to the wire. Unfortunately, the Panthers found themselves on the losing side of this exciting affair by the score of 18-14.
Throughout most of the game, the Panthers found themselves in full control thanks to their strong running game and stingy defense. In fact, the Panthers would be the ones to strike first thanks to a short touchdown run by Senior Running Back, Elijah Hines, giving the Panthers an early 7-0 lead. The Pride would then respond with a touchdown run of their own, cutting the Panther lead to 7-6. The Panthers would strike again with 15-yard touchdown run by Sophomore Running Back, Marcus Hughes, extending the Panthers lead to 14-6. However, the Pride would not go away quietly either as they would score again late in the second quarter on a touchdown pass, cutting down the Panther lead to 14-12 going into halftime.
In the second half, defense would be the focal point as both teams’ defenses would force key turnovers and stops in key moments of the game, keeping each other off the scoreboard in the second half until late in 4th quarter where the Pride offense hit a long pass play on 3rd down & 10 with just under a minute and half left in the 4th quarter. The Pride would then capitalize on that long passing play with a 3-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds remaining in the game.
The Panthers were given the ball one final time with a chance to win the game. However, the Pride would eventually intercept a Panthers’ pass, giving them the 18-14 victory.
Despite the unfortunate outcome, it is still early in the season for the Panthers, and they will have an opportunity to return to the win column next Saturday, September 16th, when they travel to San Lorenzo to take on the Arroyo High Dons. The game time is set for 2:00pm.
Panthers Cruise to 48-8 Victory Over Titans
August 31, 2023—On a cold and windy Thursday evening on the field of Hercules High School. The Varsity Football Team were firing on all cylinders from start to finish as they would convincingly defeat the Hercules High Titans by the score of 48-8.
The Panthers got a strong performance from their Sophomore running back, Marcus Hughes, who accounted for three rushing touchdown on the evening in only his second game at the Varsity level. In addition to Hughes’ impressive performance, the Panthers defense picked up right where they left off from last Saturday’s victory against Moreau Catholic High School as they displayed their tough and relentless identity, forcing numerous turnovers on the evening to cement the Panthers dominant victory.
The Panthers will look to continue their early hot streak when they return to Brady Park to play host to their longtime rival, the Salesian Pride, on Saturday, September 9th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30PM.
Panthers Running Game & Defense Lead Way to Season Opening Win
August 26, 2023—Following a special 2022 season where the Varsity Football Team overcame all odds to record an 11-win season and a trip to the North Coast Section Quarterfinals, the Panthers opened their 2023 campaign playing host to fellow NCS Division VI foe, the Moreau Catholic Mariners, on a warm Saturday afternoon at Brady Park. In fact, the Panthers would pick up right where they left off from their special season a year ago, firing on all cylinders in the running game and on the defensive side of the ball, ultimately defeating the Mariners by the score of 20-2.
The Panthers were led by Seniors, Elijah Hines and Marley Filson, as both would record long touchdown runs in the first and third quarter respectively. Both Hines and Filson also performed extremely well on the defensive side of the ball, where Hines recorded a sack and a forced fumble, and Filson recorded his first interception of the season, which put a Mariners’ drive to a halt.
In addition to Hines and Filson, the Panthers defense overall stifled the Mariners offense the entire game, keeping them out of the end zone for the day. In fact, the defense also recorded their first defensive touchdown of the year when they recovered a Mariners’ fumble in the end zone late in the 4th quarter, ultimately putting the game out of reach.
The Panthers will now turn their attention to next week as they will return to action on Thursday, August 31st, where they will travel to take on the Hercules High Titans. Kickoff is set for 7:00PM.