PANTHER JV TAKES ONE UNDER THE CHIN
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(10/19/07 Chico, CA) The Paradise junior varsity football team exploded to a 39-12 win over Chico Friday at University Stadium.
 
On the game's opening drive, Kyle Quackenbush gained two yards on third and 1 to give the Panthers a first down at the Bobcats' 44-yard line. On the next play, Quackenbush connected with Cole Yakemchuk for another first down. Ian Boyer's seven-yard touchdown catch ended the drive with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter. Shaun Boyer's extra point attempt was blocked by Cameron Murillo, so the Chico lead stood at 6-0.
 
Casey McCartin gained 71 yards on Paradise's first play from scrimmage. Ian Boyer stopped McCartin at the Panthers' 2-yard line. It would take three plays for the Bobcats to get into the end zone as Ryan Valdez ran two yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good, so the score was tied at 6-6. Paradise added another touchdown with 3:07 left in the first when Murillo intercepted Quackenbush's pass and returned it for a touchdown. Aaron Ropp kicked the extra point to give the Bobcats a 13-6 lead.
 
Chico struck back as Ian Boyer caught a 25-yard pass to bring them to their 39-yard line. Despite Quackenbush throwing an incomplete pass on third and 20, the Panthers were allowed were allowed to move into Paradise territory as the Bobcats were charged with a pass interference penalty. The drive continued into the second quarter as Ian Boyer opened the period with a 13-yard catch to reach the Paradise 33-yard line. Although Chico was sent back five yards for illegal procedure, Ian Boyer ran 38 yards for a touchdown. Shaun Boyer's extra point attempt was again blocked by Murillo, so the Panthers kept a 13-12 lead.
 
The Bobcats started their next drive on the Chico 46-yard line after an onside kick attempt didn't travel the required 10 yards. Derek Dysthe's 11-yard gain on second and 5 gave them a first down at the 30-yard line. The drive ended with 6:47 remaining in the first half when Austin Thayer caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Valdez. Ropp added the extra point to put Paradise ahead 20-12.
 
The Bobcats began a drive at the Panthers' 30-yard line with about four minutes left in the half. Faced with a third and 5 situation, Anthony Wiggins missed getting a first down by a few inches. However, Paradise was allowed to move up five yards after Chico was hit with an offsides penalty. As time wound down in the first half, the Bobcats dealt with a fourth and 10 situation, but didn't move any further as Ian Boyer kept Trent Flahery from catching the ball near the goal line.
 
A punt by Murillo allowed the Panthers to start their first drive of the second half at the Paradise 35-yard line. Taylor Wakefield's six-yard gain on second and 1 earned Chico a first down at the 20-yard line. On fourth and 11, Yakemchuk couldn't catch Quackenbush's pass as the Bobcats took over on downs.
 
With less than two minutes left in the third, Wiggins took the ball 30 yards to give Paradise a first down at the Panthers' 37-yard line. McCartin added 35 yard on the next play to set up first and goal. The drive concluded with 38 seconds left in the period when Valdez scored a touchdown on a quarterback keeper. The extra point attempt was no good, so the Bobcats had a 26-12 lead.
 
A fumble recovery to start the fourth quarter allowed Paradise to start its next drive at the Chico 32-yard line. On third and 16, Valdez gained eight yards. On the next play, Wiggins caught an 18-yard pass to give the Bobcats a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, Valdez connected with Thayer on a touchdown pass. Ropp made the extra point to give Paradise a 33-12 lead.
 
Ja' Quan Sayres scampered 40 yards with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game to set up a first and goal for the Bobcats at the Panthers' 5-yard line. Sayres then went the distance for a touchdown. A penalty after the play pushed the extra point attempt back 15 yards. Ropp was unable to convert, so Paradise missed out on reaching the 40-point mark.