Panorama Runs Verdugo Hills out of the Playoffs, Earns League Rematch

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Kyle Mucerino

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Panorama did what it does best Friday night: Run the ball.

The Pythons’ ground game was simply too much for Verdugo Hills to overcome, as the 10-seeded Pythons defeated the 7-seeded Dons 49-34 in the first round of the CIF Los Angeles City Section Division II football playoffs.

“You have to stop No. 5. We didn’t do that,” Verdugo Hills coach Sean Jackson said after the game. “So you don’t stop No.5? This is what happens, bottom line.”

Panorama football player wearing number 5 runs with the ball during a night game.

Behind No.5, junior running back Brandon Hernandez, Panorama scored touchdowns on its first four drives of the first half and was only stopped by the clock on its fifth.

It was a back-and-forth affair to start the game.

Senior running back Angelo Garcia opened the scoring for the Pythons with an 18-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.

Football player in white uniform runs with the ball while being tackled during a nighttime game.

After a three-and-out on the Dons’ first possession, Verdugo Hills responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jered Smith to senior wide receiver Raymond Gonzalez. Following a successful 2-point conversion, the Dons took an 8-6 lead.

Youth football player in helmet and uniform running with the ball toward the end zone during a game

The teams traded touchdowns on their next two possessions. Hernandez scored on an 11-yard touchdown run, the first of his six in the game. Verdugo Hills responded on the first play of the ensuing drive when Smith found senior running back Aiden Mejia on a screen pass. Mejia weaved across the field and through the Pythons’ defense for a 64-yard touchdown. After an unsuccessful 2-point conversion, Verdugo Hills led 14-12.

Football players celebrate with a teammate lifted in the air during practice near a large inflatable blocking pad.

Hernandez scored again on the first play of the second quarter, giving Panorama an 18-14 lead after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion. The ensuing Verdugo Hills possession proved to be the game’s turning point.

Football player in white jersey number 5 runs with the ball past a defender in black jersey number 3 near the end zone.

The Dons marched down the field, mounting a 14-play drive to the Pythons’ 9-yard line. But on fourth-and-goal, Panorama came up with the biggest stop of the game when Smith was unable to connect in the back of the end zone with junior wide receiver Greg Rivera.

The stop proved pivotal for Panorama. The Pythons scored on their next possession on a 27-yard touchdown run from Hernandez, taking a 25-14 lead.

Panorama football player wearing number 5 runs with the ball as a defender dives on the field.

Smith then found Gonzalez again, this time for an 8-yard touchdown with 53 seconds left in the half to make it 25-20, where the score would remain at halftime.

Panorama scored on its first possession of the second half, capping a methodical 12-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown plunge from Hernandez.

After a Verdugo Hills fumble on their next possession, the Pythons put the game out of reach when Hernandez broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 41-20.

Hernandez finished with 388 yards and six touchdowns on 35 carries for Panorama.

Panorama football player wearing number 5 runs with the ball during a nighttime game.

“There’s no recipe. It’s just hard work,” Panorama coach Adrian Beltran said after the game. “Just put in the time. It’s long hours, hard practices, a lot of sweat, a lot of tears, a lot of blood sometimes…There’s no halftime speech. There’s no pregame speech. It’s just go to work every day.”

For the Dons, Smith completed 24 of 35 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns. Mejia led the way receiving with nine catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

American football quarterback in black and red jersey throws a pass as a teammate blocks an opposing player on the field.

Panorama advances to face 2-seeded Sylmar Spartans in the second round. The game will be a rematch of a thrilling Mission Valley League contest won by Sylmar 39-37 in the final game of the regular season.

All photos by VST senior photographer Benjamin Becher

American football player carrying the ball during a nighttime game as teammates and opponents chase him
Two American football players compete for a pass during a nighttime game.
American football player in a Verdigo Hills uniform running with the ball on a grassy field
Two American football players sprint across the field, with the player in black carrying the ball and a defender in white chasing him.
Young football player in a helmet runs with the ball on a field.
High school football players from Vernon Hills and Panorama stand on the field as a Panorama player lies on the turf.
American football player wearing number 6 catches a pass on the field as cheerleaders and spectators watch.
High school football player wearing number 7 throws a pass on a grassy field.
American football player in a dark uniform runs with the ball while defenders chase him on a nighttime field.
High school football players compete under stadium lights as a runner in a white Pandramas uniform carries the ball.
High school football player catches the ball while teammates block defenders during a game.
Alabama football player in white uniform runs with the ball during a nighttime game.
Football player in white jersey runs with the ball as an opposing defender in black gives chase.
Football player in helmet and jersey number 7 jumping to throw a football during a game
American football player wearing number 3 catching a ball in the end zone under stadium lights
High school football player in black uniform runs with the ball as a defender in white dives to tackle him.
Football player in black and red uniform evading a tackle from a player in white on the field.
High school football players compete under stadium lights as a ball carrier runs with the football.
American football player in black uniform reaching up to catch the ball during a nighttime game
Two Panorama football players in white uniforms running on the field, with player number 6 carrying the ball.
High school football players in white and black uniforms collide during a nighttime game.
American football players in helmets tackling a ball carrier during a nighttime game
Youth football player in a black and red uniform runs with the ball during a nighttime game.
American football player in a black jersey runs with the ball as three defenders in white jerseys pursue him on the field.

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