Mingus Union High School’s special teams were anything but special, playing a large part in their first loss of the season, 34-21, to visiting Peoria High School on Friday, Sept. 11.
The Panthers [2-1] returned a kickoff for a touchdown amid a back-and-forth scoring flurry in the first quarter, then added a particularly damaging punt return for a touchdown just before halftime.
On the field after the game, head coach Bob Young shook his head in disgust when asked about the special teams, which surrendered 207 yards on seven returns.
“[Peoria] is really good,” he said. “Our game plan was not to kick it to them. But you saw what happened.”
The plan worked on the opening kickoff, which was a short boot to the 34-yard line.
However, the Panthers drove 66 yards in two-and-a-half minutes to take a 7-0 lead.
It was the first time the Marauders [2-1] trailed this season.
For the full story, standings and more photos, please see the Wednesday, Sept. 16, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
