PANTHER FROSH CLAIMS PEANUT BOWL WIN
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(10/11/07 Chico, CA) The Chico freshman football team added a two-point conversion following a late touchdown to take a 22-21 win over cross-town rival Pleasant Valley in the annual Peanut Bowl game Thursday at Asgard Yard.
 
During the game's opening drive, Jamie Hardman's three-yard gain on fourth and 1 gave the Panthers a first down at their 46-yard line. Two plays later, Sterling Smith's 14-yard gain allowed Chico to enter Viking territory at the 36-yard line. An incomplete pass intended for Hardman on fourth and 9 allowed PV to take over on downs.
 
On the Panthers' next possession, Smith's 18-yard gain allowed his team to earn a first down at the Vikings' 35-yard line. Hardman's seven-yard gain set up a first and 10 at the 20-yard line. The drive ended with 9:47 remaining in the second quarter on Hardman's one-yard touchdown run. Jason Peck made the extra point to put Chico ahead 7-0.
 
A 12-yard completion to Ger Lee along with a 15-yard facemask penalty against Pleasant Valley gave the Panthers a first down at the Vikings' 41-yard line. The drive ended two plays later when Chase Drews intercepted Smith's pass and brought it to the PV 44-yard line. After an intentional grounding penalty, the Vikings faced a third and 19, but Jason Freitas was stoppoed for a two-yard loss. Freitas then punted the ball on the next play, landing at midfield.
 
Chico opened its next drive with Hardman gaining 20 yards for a first down at the Pleasant Valley 30-yard line. After an encroachment penalty against the Vikings, Hardman added 15 yards to get to the 10-yard line. The drive ended with 48 seconds left in the first half when Hardman ran a yard to score a touchdown. Peck added the extra point to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.
 
Pleasant Valley managed to execute a big play before the half ended as Junior Ortiz caught a 28-yard pass to bring the Vikings to the Chico 30-yard line. On the next play, Drews connected with Tyler Taylor for a touchdown pass. Ortiz added the extra point to bring PV within seven points going into halftime.
 
On the first drive of the second half, Taylor's four-yard run on third and inches gave the Vikings a first down at midfield. They moved up to the Panthers' 30-yard line after the next play when Chico was charged with a late hit penalty. Taylor's 11-yard gain set up a first and goal at the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Taylor crossed the goal line for a touchdown. Ortiz kicked the extra point to tie the contest at 14-14.
 
When the Panthers took over possession, Peck's three-yard gain gave them a first down at the Pleasant Valley 49-yard line. Chico faced a third and 6, but Smith threw an incomplete pass under pressure. Lee punted the ball on the next play, landing at the Vikings' 34-yard line.
 
Taylor's 13-yard gain to open the fourth quarter gave PV a first down at the Panthers' 37-yard line. On fourth and 1, the drive continued as Taylor gained the needed yardage for a first down. The Vikings took the lead with 6:04 remaining in the game on Taylor's four-yard touchdown run. Ortiz made the extra point as Pleasant Valley had a 21-14 advantage.
 
Hardman's four-yard gain with 4 1/2 minutes left in the game earned Chico a first down at the Vikings' 49-yard line. The Panthers faced a third and 8, but Chase Vandermate's 13-yard gain set up a first and 10 at the 34-yard line. They would reach the 2-yard line with about a minute left, then scored a touchdown on the next play. Smith added the two-point conversion to give Chico a 22-21 lead. Pleasant Valley started its next drive on their 47-yard line, but it only lasted two plays as Smith picked off Tyler Reaman's pass.