Deja vu

Working hard against another bigger, faster, more experienced team led to the Saratoga Panthers (0-2) second 0-55 loss in two weeks on the gridiron.

Head Coach Scott Bokelman has said from the beginning that the first four games of the season are going to be hard for his young team. “These first four teams are top notch teams in the state,” Bokelman said this week.

Bokelman said that the Panthers defense is having to learn how to adjust to different offensive formations. For instance, this is the first game that they have faced a trips formation, three receivers on one side of the field. The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies used this after the Panthers had focused on stopping their running game. Bokelman said that by putting so many players on the defensive line it made it hard for the secondary to cover there assignments in both zone and man-on-man defenses.

Cameron Lehr led the Panthers defense this week getting in on 14 tackles. Thatcher Spiering was close behind, making 11 stops.

On the offensive side of the ball both penalties and fumbles slowed the Panthers down. Saratoga was charged with seven penalties for a total of 46 yards. Three of four fumbles were recovered by the Grizzlies. “We’ve got to take better care of the ball and execute better on offense,” Bokelman said.

Even with their troubles, the Panther offense moved the ball against the Grizzlies. Spiering had two first downs rushing, averaging 5 yards per carry in eight runs. Switching things up, Spiering also passed the ball four time.

One Spiering pass was completed to Lehr for 16 yards and a first down. Rodrigo Escobedo was effectively shut down by the Grizzlies defense going two for three passing, for six yards, and losing 26 yards rushing.

Bokelman said his team needs to keep focused, stay healthy and make some strides during these first four weeks, after which they will play teams of an equal caliber.

The Panthers will host the Shoshoni Wranglers, at 6 p.m. Friday.