Photo courtesy of Bay Area Panthers.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Panthers looked to continue their winning streak at SAP Center against the San Diego Strike Force on Sunday evening.

Heading into this game the Panthers had a 9-1 record and were on a four game winning streak. The Strike Force on the other hand had a 6-5 record and were coming off a loss to the Arizona Rattlers by a 46-47 score.

These two teams had met twice before this match with the Panthers winning both games though they were both close. The first game between these teams ended 53-50 while the second one was 33-32.

The first quarter saw a dominant performance for quarterback Daquan Neal who scored two touchdowns on the run. The first touchdown was a set play as they faked out Strike Force’s defense making it an easy jog into the end zone for Neal. Later in the quarter Neal on a scramble took the play into his own hands rushing forward and extending his arm out to just get the ball into the end zone making it 14-0 Panthers.

Strike Force’s offense on the other side struggled quite a bit out the gate as they would not complete a pass until the four minute mark. On that same drive San Diego basically killed their own chances to score as they took three straight penalties and were forced to punt back.

Momentum shifted at the start of the second quarter as Strike Force scored early with Rudy Johnson rushing for two yards making it 14-7.

As much as he had been doing it with his feet Neal also was able to it with his arm as he launched one to Joshua Tomas for 23 yards extending the Panthers lead to 21-7.

San Diego would strike back late in the second as Nate Davis completed his first touchdown pass of the game to Rudy Johnson making it a one score game.

The Strike Force wasted no time tying the game up in the third as just two minutes in Davis got his second touchdown pass of the game this time connecting with Arthur Jackson for three yards.

It was more dominance though from Neal who got the hat trick in the third with another rushing touchdown giving the Panthers the lead right back at 28-21.

The fourth got off to another rough start for the Panthers as Elijah Lilly got a punt return touchdown for San Diego tying the game right back up.

Neal though feeling like three wasn’t enough got his fourth rushing touchdown of the game making it 35-28.

Davis matched Neal with a touchdown of his own airing one out to Jordan Kress for 23 yards tying the game right back up.

Neal managed to the Panthers the lead back on a beautiful pass to JT Stokes for 41 yards making it a 42-35 game. One the play though unfortunately Kishawn Walker had a scary collision with the boards and had to be carted off the field. While being carried away he did flash a thumbs up to the crowd to show that he was doing okay.

Once play resumed San Diego looked to respond but Joe Foucha came up with his second interception of the game ending the drive.

The Panthers weren’t able to do much with that ball and had to give it back to San Diego with less than a minute left.

Strike Force managed to march their way down the field and on the third play of the drive Davis connected with Kress again to make it 41-42. Then for killing blow Connor Mangan connected with the drop kick attempt securing San Diego an improbable comeback victory 43-42.

Neal finished the night going 10-18 with 131 yards completed and two passing touchdowns as well as four on the ground. Davis on the other hand threw 19-28 with 158 yards completed and four touchdown passes.

Foucha had a great night defensively with two interceptions while for San Diego Justic’e King lead the way with ten total tackles and five solo.

The loss ends the Panthers winning streak at four making their record now 9-2, while San Diego improves to 7-5 with the win.

The Panthers will look to bounce back on the road against the Duke City Gladiators on June 22nd at 5:05 p.m.