Both the Parkland Matadors and Austin Panthers looked to use Week 2 of this young high school football season to get back on track after close Week 1 losses.
The game started as an absolute defensive battle. Both teams attempted the run game, but each team’s defense had an answer for it. The opening quarter ended scoreless.
Action started picking up in the 2nd Quarter. Momentum first started for the Panthers when Jayden Wilson picked off Parkland’s Erik Ortiz with 9:30 left before halftime. The Panthers proceeded with a promising drive, until it was abruptly ended with an interception by Parkland’s Makhi Shannon. The Matadors were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
On the very next drive, Austin marched down the field and finally put some points on the board with a 1-yard Jayden Wilson Touchdown run to make it, 7-0, Panthers, with 3:28 left before halftime. The Panther defense held the Matadors on the following drive, sending Austin into halftime with the 7-0 lead.
The defensive battle resumed in the 2nd half, as there was a scoreless 3rd Quarter.
In the 4th Quarter, the game had its second touchdown, when the Matadors had a 7-yard Touchdown pass from Erik Ortiz to Fabian Cervantes with 9:48 left. The PAT was missed, as the Panthers held onto a 7-6 lead.
Then, with a little under 3 minutes left in the game, the Matadors went downfield in hopes of taking their first lead of the game. With under 20 seconds left in the game, Parkland Quarterback, Erik Ortiz, had a momentum-shifting 20-yard run from the Austin 34 to the 14 yardline. With only 2 seconds left in the game, Parkland’s Adrian Loya made the 30-yard field goal to give the Matadors their first victory of the season, 9-7.
Next Friday, Parkland (1-1), will travel to Burges to take on the Mustangs. The Panthers (0-2), will host the Canutillo Eagles at R.E. McKee Stadium next Friday.
Paul David Oliver Reporting