Panthers lose big to Tigers

The Panthers went looking for competition and found it against the JV Tigers of Grand Junction last week. The Panthers were shut out 54-0.
“We knew Grand Junction was tough,” Panther head coach Paul Fortunato said. “Their varsity is the No. 1 team in the 5A classification.”
The Tigers jumped on the Panthers early, scoring 28 points in the first quarter and led 40-0 at halftime, before scoring touchdowns in each of the final quarters.
“We have a lot of things to work on but I still think the guys are working hard,” Fortunato said. “Sometime you just don’t match up.”
Senior quarterback Kody Denny completed four of 10 passes for 80 yards and led the defense with seven tackles. Connor Phelan caught two of Denny’s throws for 30 yards. Colton Coombs, DJ Jamerson and Bryson Palacios all finished with five tackles each.
Fortunato said he currently has four starters out due to injury, “So getting healthy is the most important thing.”
The Panthers will start league play this weekend as they play the Hotchkiss Bulldogs, the No. 2 ranked 1A team in the state, according to the Denver Post rankings.
“It will be another test for us but we know what our goals are as a team this year and we will continue to pursue them.”