Panthers capture solo league title in first year as a varsity program

In their first season as a varsity team, the West Park High Panthers are the Greater Sacramento League champions following a 36-28 win over the Cordova High Lancers on Friday night. "I'm so proud of our kids and we don't have seniors so we've been up against it every week with teams having more maturity physically, along with deeper rosters, but our kids brought it," coach Jason Tenner said. "For us to win the league title without seniors is something these kids will cherish for the rest of their lives." The Panthers began the year 0-4 being outscored by a combined 96 points but they fought back, winning six games straight, including their five league matchups to close the season. Coming into their game against the Lancers, West Park had only given up a combined 28 points defensively against their league opponents. West Park began the game scoring on their first drive as junior quarterback Develle Barksdale took it in from one-yard out. Junior Jesse Whitfield scored on the two-point conversion and forced a fumble on the next drive. The Panthers scored again after Barksdale connected with junior tight end Jordan Morse for a three-yard touchdown, putting them up 15-0 in the first quarter. The Panthers recovered an onside kick but a fumble into the end zone for a touchback turned the tides of the game. Cordova took advantage of the turnover, scoring off of a 17-yard rushing touchdown. The Lancers would go on to force three more turnovers in the second quarter off of an interception, a fumble and a strip by junior Kevin Lewis, who would return the ball 58 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Panthers lead to 15-14. "We work on ball security every week but we have to be more focused on how we carry the ball," Tenner said. "Hats off to Cordova. They played well tonight and had seniors playing their last game ever." Barksdale was once again able to put some more points on the board for the Panthers when he took it in from a yard out right before halftime making it 21-14. "We kept fighting, playing as a team and as a family," Barksdale said. Cordova opened the second half with nearly a seven-minute 80-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown. However, on their next offensive drive, they were intercepted by Panthers sophomore Ryan Sisson, who returned the ball 59 yards for a touchdown, increasing their lead once again to 28-20. The Lancers answered right back with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, tying the game at the start of the fourth quarter. The Lancers were forced to punt on their next offensive possession. This was when Panthers junior Judah Jackson returned the ball 38 yards for a touchdown, giving them back the lead. "I was playing close coverage, ready to make a play on fourth down and I saw my opportunity and took it," Jackson said. West Park forced another turnover on the following drive as junior Julian Niulala made an interception but a Lancer fumble recovery gave Cordova one more chance to score. The Lancers drove down inside the Panthers 40-yard-line but were unable to score. "We've established a bond between our staff and our kids as a trust, respect and love," Tenner said. "Our kids are working hard and they believe in the process. We had a winning record all the way down from varsity to JV being league champs, freshman going 6-4 and all playing Panther football. It's pretty special to see." The Panthers have qualified for the Sac Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs and were projected as the 12th seed going into the week. The postseason brackets have yet to be released but it's likely that West Park will be playing on the road next Friday. The Panthers will be a part of the Foothill Valley League, beginning next season. "We need to stay focused and work together as a team," Jackson said.