Blood, Sweat & Tears
March 2, 2024
Panthers complete turnaround with 28-20 section championship win
A season fueled by doubt ended in celebration as the Panthers defeated Foothill 28-20 to capture the section championship, completing one of the program’s most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory.
Just a year removed from a 1-9 season, the seniors carried a clear message into the year: last season didn’t define who they were.
“It feels so good,” Chico High senior Shamar Riley said “We wanted this from day one. This is what we dreamed about. We put in all the work, it’s about time we got it.”
Chico’s Zaiveon Patrick picks up a first down during the Northern Section championship between chico and Foothill.
From the opening weeks, the Panthers leaned into the criticism that surrounded them. Each practice became another opportunity to prove they belonged among the section’s best.
“The doubt was our biggest motivation,” senior Zaiveon Patrick said. “Every week somebody didn’t believe in us. We used that as fuel.”
Tied in the second quarter at 14-14, the Chico defense caused a fumble. The ball was recovered quickly by Chico’s Fin Darlinton on the 36-yard line. The turnover swung the moment back in the favor of the Panthers, A defining moment for Chico.
The Panthers capitalized on the turnover. Riley took a handoff from Chico quarterback John Bernanrdez, hit the outside and cut up field, running in a 64-yard touchdown and taking the lead.
“I just saw green,” Riley said, describing the play that shifted the games momentum.
Chico’s Fin Darlinton recovers.a fumble.
Chico’s Shamar Riley breaks free for a 64-yard touchdown
Chico’s Emilio Vierra (15) hugs teammate Juan Estrada (back) after winning the NSCIF DIV II Championship.
For the senior class, the victory carried added weight. Knowing it was their final season together, practices intensified, expectations rose and the group embraced the idea that their last ride could become something special.
For a team that began the season with something to prove, the championship wasn’t just a victory. It was proof that growth, leadership and belief can transform a program in a single season.
Sharon is a former sportswriter with a decade of experience in journalism. Sharon spent nearly eight years covering sports in the Chico area for the local newspaper. Now, Sharon works in marketing and communications but continues to help tell the stories of local athletes.