The stakes were high as the Panthers headed into their first district game on Friday, Sept. 27. After starting 1-4 against very strong opponents, CLHS traveled to Estero to face the 2-3 Wildcats for their opponents’ homecoming game.
The Panther defense held Estero to a field goal on their first possession, then did not let the Wildcats score again until the last seconds of the game. Meanwhile the Panther offense found its stride early, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, with quarterback Joey Dube-Garrett connecting to Chartrael Jenkins and Zeke Dube-Garrett.
J. Dube-Garrett added three more touchdown passes in the second quarter, to Z. Dube-Garrett, Rashawn Anderson, and Isaiah Livingstone. Livingstone also finished the half with a rushing touchdown. The score was 42-3 going into halftime.
The Panther offense took their foot off the gas a bit in the second half, but the defense remained absolutely lights-out, forcing the Wildcats to go 3 and out on nearly every possession, often pinning them behind their own 20 but rarely allowing them past the 50. Nate Lynn and Daniel Johnson shared a sack in the second quarter, while Wilkens Samedi and Corey Jenkins broke up crucial passes and prevented the Wildcats from getting anything going until a touchdown in the last seconds of the game.
Coach Mendes was pleased with the outcome, sharing that the team was especially fired up by the trash talk Estero had been doing on social media all week. “Stop sending us memes,” Mendes advised future opponents.
The Panthers will be back at home next Friday (Oct. 4) to face South Fort Myers High School in the Glory Days Chicken Wing Bowl.
