Sports
Panthers Hang On, Prevail Over Wilson
FHS picks up first win since September and snaps two game losing skid.
The bell ringing on the visiting sideline of Wilson High School’s football field boosted to its first Northern League win of the season on Friday night.
Jaime Espana’s fourth quarter interception with 18 ticks left to play sealed a 26-25 dramatic win for the Panthers over Wilson in this year’s edition of the annual bell game.
The senior came up with a huge stop for a secondary that was notably missing a key piece of its defense in Joshua Taylor. Taylor didn’t make an appearance in Friday night’s contest until late in the second half due to disciplinary actions and saw limited action.
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“My team needed it and I give a lot of credit to my other safety [Isaiah] Turner. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would’ve been able to get that pick,” Espana said.
FHS (4-3, 1-1 Northern League) came out fired up, scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter alone, one each by the offense, defense and special teams.
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It took them 54 seconds to put the first points on the board when John-Anthony Aguilar connected with Turner for a 50-yard score on the second play of the game.
Following a Wilson touchdown on a quarterback sneak by Gabrelli Marconi, the Panthers would add six more points to their tally when Mathew Rodriguez outran the defenders hot on his trail, and returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for the score.
Franklin scored its final touchdown of the quarter after Misael Tamayo snagged an interception and rumbled into the end zone, putting the Panthers up 20-7 at the 5:45 mark.
“If you guys play with passion like you did here, nobody can stop you,” head coach Eric Jaimes told his team after the victory.
Wilson (2-5, 1-1) scored and received a safety in the third to pull within one, 20-19.
The teams traded scores in the fourth and the Mules had a chance to tie the knot at 26 all, with 1:41 in the ballgame, but Wilson kicker Jordy Gomez missed the point after.
FHS tried to cushion its lead on a pair of occasions, but had two TDs called back for penalties. Jaimes didn’t agree with the officials, saying that the calls were “terrible."
“You know what? Our kids fought. If we don’t get those touchdowns called back, it’s a lot easier for us,” Jaimes said.
Franklin and Wilson have been battling it out in the bell game every season since shortly after the end of World War II. According to assistant coach Erick Valadez, Franklin has retained possession of the coveted bell for the last five years.
Macias said, “It feels great to win and have the bell. Our coaches played for it, my grandparents played for it, it’s a very big tradition.”
