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Home > Archive > Sep 7, 2006

By Chad Cannon
Sports Writer
    If there was an award given out to a team for the most painful loss in a football season over during the last two years, it would probably go to the Pine View Panthers.
The Panthers worked hard during the past two seasons to earn trips to the 3A State Championship. Unfortunately, they fell short both times.
First to Bear River, 47-14, in 2004, and again last year to Logan, 56-21, a school whose classification still remains a question.
“It was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” said Jarron Udy, who played in the state championship last year.
Udy and his teammates aren’t the only ones that felt the pain following two consecutive championship game losses. The coaching staff is also itching to get back to Rice Eccles Stadium.
“The best way to get over losses like that is to get back there (to the championship game),” said assistant coach Todd Shaw.
On a more positive note, Udy returns as a second-year starter for Pine View and will carry the ball for the Panthers and defend the ball as free safety.
Senior Kevin Clements also returns as a two-year starter and through two games is already on pace to triple his number from last year. Clements leads the state in receiving with 13 receptions for 263 yards and 20.23 yards per catch.
Both Udy and Clements were chosen to represent their team as captains before the season kicked off.
On an even more positive note, Pine View has only lost 11 of their games over a five-year span. That’s a record of 50-11, .758 winning percentage, and clearly makes the Panthers one of the best programs in the state. 
 “We’re a pretty young and inexperienced team, but we’re really coming together,” Shaw said.
With a No. 1 ranking in Class 3A, Pine View might not seem like a young and inexperienced team.
Pine View has started this season just like any other season by beating solid opponents. 
The Panthers opened their season against 5A’s Murray in the endowment game. The Spartans led through the first three quarters of the game but couldn’t hold on as Pine View managed to fight back and pick up the victory.
Week two featured out-of-state Centennial visiting Panthers Stadium. The bus ride back home would be a long one for the team from Nevada, as Pine View made another second-half comeback to pick up their second win of the season.
When Shaw was asked how he felt about the first two games of the season he said, “There’s a lot of football still to be played.”
A lot of football is exactly right as the Panthers prepare to compete in what has become one of the toughest regions in the state.
Pine View will have two more games to prepare for region play beginning tomorrow night when the Panthers take on Tooele. The game will be PVHS fourth consecutive home game.

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