Panthers Push the Jaguars to the Wire in Season Finale

The Chaffey College football team put together a strong offensive showing and delivered several explosive plays but ultimately fell 27-20 on the road at Southwestern College on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers amassed 484 yards of total offense and produced two 68-yard touchdown strikes, but key second-half swings and missed opportunities proved costly in the narrow defeat.

Chaffey opened the game with authority, marching 86 yards on its second possession. Quarterback Francisco Villalbazo connected with Nathan Enriquez for a 68-yard touchdown down the right sideline midway through the first quarter, giving the Panthers an early 6-0 lead. Southwestern responded quickly, taking a 7-6 advantage on a short touchdown pass.

After a Southwestern field goal put Chaffey behind 10-6 in the second quarter, the Panthers answered with a composed 28-yard scoring drive. Quarter Evan Powell capped the series with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Justin Benson, helping Chaffey retake a 13–10 lead before halftime.

The Panthers came out firing in the third quarter. On the second play from scrimmage, Powell found Enriquez again, this time for another 68-yard touchdown, putting Chaffey ahead 20-10 and marking Enriquez's second long-range score of the afternoon. Southwestern responded with a 61-yard touchdown pass and later added a field goal to tie the game 20-20 entering the fourth quarter.

Southwestern delivered the decisive moment midway through the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 33-yard touchdown run to move ahead 27-20. Chaffey's final offensive push crossed midfield, but the Panthers were unable to complete the comeback.

Powell and Villalbazo combined for 449 passing yards, with Powell throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns and Villalbazo adding 223 yards and a touchdown. Enriquez turned in a dominant performance, posting 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. Benson added four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Brennan White and Nehemiah Harrison contributed a combined nine receptions and 100 yards.

Defensively, William Harper led the Panthers with nine total tackles, while Donovan Brown added eight. Jay Frazier and Jason Roberts each recorded partial sacks, and Taylor Chapple-Love recovered a key fumble late in the second quarter. Miking Cash also delivered seven tackles to lead the defensive front.

With the loss, Chaffey Football concluded the 2025 season with an overall record of 1-9 and 0-7 in the Southern League.