Peoria returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, vaulting the Panthers to a 40-21 Class 4A non-region victory against the Marcos de Niza Padres.

 “People haven’t kicked to us, and our kids executed,” Peoria coach William Babb said. “The return game is all about timing and having good players doesn’t hurt.”

The Panthers (3-0) quickly struck first with a kickoff return for a touchdown by senior Sonatane Zabala.

Running backs Zabala and Juwaun Price were the x-factors of this game as they not only carried the special teams but pushed forward as the offense struggled to find its normal rhythm. The offense averaged 464 yards per game for their first two wins.

The Panthers defense entered the game having shut out Estrella Foothills and Coronado nigh schools. That feat ended toward the end of the first quarter as sophomore tailback Yakeem Bayless split the defense and scored on a 3-yard run.

Similarly, senior quarterback Nate Dobson and the Panthers offense struggled to deliver on offense after Price, a junior, fumbled the ball on a third and two.

Peoria’s defense helped Price by recovering a fumble on its own 33-yard line.

Zabala’s night only continued to grow as he rushed in for a 12-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.

“I thought my performance was really good,” Zabala said. “I couldn’t do it without my team.”

“It’s a long season,” Babb said. “You are going to have ups and downs.”

The closest point in the game was the Padres (1-2) cutting the lead to 26-14 heading into halftime. However, Marcos de Niza’s special teams had no match for the Panthers’ returners.

Padres coach Paul Moro said he was happy with how his kids handled themselves throughout the game.

“They played hard,” Moro said. “I was proud of the kids not giving up. Most teams would give up after giving up three touchdowns in the kicking game.”

Peoria's defense only gave up one touchdown in the second half as senior quarterback Marcos Moreno squeezed by the defensive line for a 2-yard score.

The highlight of the second half for the Panthers offense was when Dobson used his legs to open up the field and keep the Padres’ defense guessing. With 2:59 left in the third quarter, Dobson used his arm to find Zabala for a 43-yard catch and score.

“(My game) has improved a lot, as an athlete,” Zabala said. “I couldn’t do it without my team pushing me to be better.”

The rest of the game featured turnover on downs and a scary injury as a Padres player was carried off the field in a stretcher and taken off the field in an ambulance.

Coming up, the Panthers ace the Buckeye Hawks (2-2), and the Padres will host their homecoming game against the Bradshaw Mountain Bears on Sept. 15.