Boys’ Football and Soccer Teams Gain the Right to Postseason Play
Trevor Phipps
After a continual barrage of winning predictions since the kickoff of the fall season, the talk has ended, and the verdict is now official: 2024 is the year for the Woodland Park Panthers to snag championship gold in both the pigskin and soccer arena.
As football fever progressed locally, it is becoming more likely that the Panthers will end their regular season undefeated, possibly for the first time in school history.
Without valid records to prove this fact, most agree that this year the Panthers have had the best winning streak they ever experienced. The known records affirm this fact for at least the last decade.
This year could also be the first season that both the boys’ soccer team and football team get to experience postseason action. And, if both teams stay up in their statewide rankings, it could be the first time at least in recent history that both teams host a playoff match at Panther Field.
Football Team Wins Seven Games in a Row
Even the games that have worried their fans like the matches against the Colorado Springs Christian Lions and the Lamar Thunder, the Panthers figured out a way to come out on top. In fact, those two matches versus top 10 teams were the only two this season that the Panthers didn’t completely run away with and devour their opponents.
The team has looked good in all three facets and have league leaders on defense, offense and special teams. In fact, the Panthers seem to make big plays no matter what obstacles they have confronted. Moreover, they have a special ability of staying strong until the clock screeches to a halt.
During Week 8 of high school football play, the Panthers came out and picked up another big win against the Florence Huskies 42-6. The Huskies were the first to score and the Panthers had somewhat of a slow start, but then they entirely dominated the game.
With their win over Florence, the Panthers surged to first place in their 2A South East League and they were the only team in their league to be 3-0 and 7-0 with only two matches left in the regular season. The team also jumped up in the statewide Class 2A rankings and are now in fifth place.
During their record-breaking winning streak, several Panther stars are currently ranked in the top 10 in Class 2A statewide. Senior Panther Quarterback Marqus Schoenberger himself has emerged as a big leader in 2A for most of the year. In fact, his heroics on the field have captured the attention of area television station in their weekly recaps of Friday Night Lights.
After seven games, Schoenberger was rated as 14th across the state in passing yards with 665, and 10th in 2A in total touchdowns with 12. He is also 9th in 2A with 76 total points and 9th in total yards with 1,176.
Senior Parker Shreeve has also shined no matter what position he is playing. Shreeve (at the time of this writing) was ranked 14th while playing on offense with 296 receiving yards.
On defense, Shreeve is tied in second place in 2A with Matteo Pizarro with five sacks so far this year. Shreeve is also ranked 4th in 2A with an average of 37.83 kickoff return yards and 4th with 312 total return yards.
Junior Kicker Miles Wiley has also stood out above the rest in Class 2A. Wiley is currently first in 2A with 26 PATs made, and second with three field goals made. He is also second in total kicking points with 35 and second in total kickoff yards with 1,686.
The Panthers have their last challenge of the season this Friday when they take the trek southeast to go up against the 3-4 La Junta Tigers who are ranked 26th statewide. Then, the Panthers will most likely host a playoff game if they can stay in the top eight statewide in 2A.
Panther Soccer Stars Eyeing Home Playoff Action
Even though the WPHS football team is undefeated and has been receiving most of the hype during the fall sports season, their star soccer playing peers have also received much attention. At press time, the team was 9-1-3 overall, boasting a league record of 1-0 after two 3-0 defeats over James Irwin and Atlas Preparatory School.
After playing 13 games, the team was first in their 3A Tri-Peaks League. They are also currently ranked 11th statewide in 3A out of 56 teams.
And so far this season, there are some Panther soccer stars who are ranked in the top two in their 3A Tri-Peaks League. Senior Forward Silas Koelewijn is currently second in the league with 22 points and 10 total goals. Junior Midfielder Jamie Urban currently leads the league in assists with nine.
The Panthers really seem to shine when it comes to defense. Junior Goalie Noah Magestrelli has also stepped up this year and proven to be one of the best goalies in Colorado’s Class 3A soccer. Magestrelli is ranked first in the league with a 0.646 goals against average and second in 3A Tri-Peaks in saves with 118.
The Panthers finished their regular season last week with two matches against the 6-6-1 Lamar Thunder and the 9-2-2 Manitou Springs Mustangs. But the results weren’t available prior to press time.
This week there is a good chance the team will be playing in a postseason match. If they stay ranked 11th they will make the playoffs with a road game and if they advance to eighth or higher, they will host a playoff game for the second year in a row.
