RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers suffered their first loss of the season this past Friday at West Park by a final of 63-0. 

The contest was the Metro League opener for both teams, and the Panthers (5-0, 1-0 Metro League) appeared to be more than ready for the challenge. The first play from scrimmage saw West Park junior quarterback Jaden Jackson connect with senior wide receiver Mason Johnson on a 77-yard touchdown strike. The Lancers (3-1, 0-1 Metro League) surrendered touchdowns on the Panthers' first four possessions, including a 92-yard toss from Jackson to Johnson in what was the second of the two touchdown plays from the duo on the night. West Park would take a 35-0 lead into halftime, and never look back.  

Cordova did have success moving the ball deep into West Park territory on two first half possessions but were unable to come away with points. The Lancers' rushing attack was effective early, but penalties stalled drives and put them at a disadvantage. 

"We moved the ball early better than I thought we would," Cordova head coach JP Dolliver said. "We were always one block away from making a bigger play and it just never happened. We put ourselves in a couple situations where penalties set us back, and that hurts against a team like West Park."

The Panthers were led by Jackson, who went 6-of-9 passing for 222 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Johnson tallied three receptions for 169 yards and two scores. Senior tailback Ben Osby (six carries for 86 yards) and senior tailback Raheem Hawkins (six carries for 44 yards) paced West Park on the ground.

For the Lancers, senior quarterback Trey Wallace went 11-of-17 passing for 80 yards, but was most effective on the ground, adding eight carries for 48 yards. Senior tailback Isaac Adeluola led the team in rushing with four carries for 54 yards.

Following the loss, Dolliver mentioned he was proud of the way his team prepared during the week leading up to the game, and even though the final result wasn't what they wanted, he felt his team got better based on how focused they were coming in.

"At halftime they're staring at the scoreboard, they know at that point something would have to miraculously happen where we could come back in that game. I told them that we need to show well in the second half. Regardless of what happens in the game you got better because you prepared better this week."

The Lancers will look to get back on track when they host visiting Kennedy on Friday, September 27, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. from Lancer Stadium. It will be the Homecoming Game for Cordova, and Dolliver is well aware of the challenges that await his team moving forward in Metro League play.

"We need to focus in and be passionate about the game," he said. "We knew we were walking into a really tough league and were going to take some lumps. You're going to hit the mat at some point, it's just going to happen. We know we have some tough games ahead of us."