RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The 2021-22 Cordova Lancer’s football season comes to an end this week with their last game against the first place West Park Panthers in Roseville. While the post season seems to be out of reach this year, the players continue to play hard and put everything they have into all twelve minutes of each quarter. With the loss of key starting players to injuries such as their Senior tight end/defensive end Tristin Hall, Senior middle linebacker/fullback Gianni Cordova and Senior defensive end/tackle Lucas Halcomb, the Lancers have never let down their optimism and put everything they have into every snap or kick of the ball.

Last week under the Friday night lights the Cordova coaches put together a game plan that had their players pretty much dominating the Florin High Panthers from the start as they celebrated a 41-12 victory. With stellar plays on offense and defense, the Lancers were able to easily dismantle the Panthers efforts. Wide receiver Dylan Gray caught a long Jalen Thomas pass for a touchdown and even had a spectacular interception that he ran back far into Florin territory. Junior Kevin Lewis had numerous long scampers around end, an interception and scored on a short run off tackle. Senior running back Trevontae Mangram electrified the small Cordova crowd by running back two kickoffs for touchdowns. Quarterback Jalen Thomas found the end zone on a long run late in the contest. Senior running back Robert Salcedo made the final touchdown on a short run up the middle. Freshman Armani Curtis, brought up from the JV team for the night kicked 5 successful PAT’s.

Head Coach Marque Willis had this to say about his team’s performance, “I’m happy that my players played for four quarters. They blocked out the unsportsmanlike play and talk and spoke with their efforts and execution. I’m also very happy for the seniors”. Many of the 20 graduating seniors will most likely find that this year will be their last time suiting up and putting out their efforts on the gridiron. Some will have a chance for a possible scholarship and the opportunity to play at the college level. Some I hope will step up and join the basketball, track & field, baseball or wrestling teams. All in all, I was proud to watch this group of dedicated, hard hitting and talented individuals play their hearts out every week and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

GO BIG RED!