Santa Clarita, CA — The Santa Clarita Warriors came up with their first victory of the season in Week 1 against the Oxnard Panthers. The Panthers were the #1 ranked team pre season, while the Warriors were ranked at #5. The Panthers were the only team that had given the Warriors any trouble throughout the pre season when they faced off in the jamboree a few weeks previously. The Warriors received in the first half and came out of the gate at the 8am road game asleep. A turnover on downs was followed by a quick score for the Panthers which put them out in front 6-0. The Warriors answered on their next drive with a methodical drive down the field capped off by Running back Levi Bradshaw. The panthers scored another on the next drive bringing the score to 12-8 at half time. Oxnard tested the Warriors edge defenders over and over again. With a strong stable of backs they thought they could beat Santa Clarita around the edge every time. The Warriors came out in the second half fired up. Josh Jefferson showed one of his big splash plays to open the half by recovering the onsides kick. Josh also came up with a forced fumble as well a big tackle for loss in the second half of his football career debut. Even though the ball was turned over on the next possession, the Warriors had swung the momentum of the game. Led by some Huge blocks by Fullback Jace Klar, the Warriors rushed for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns in the second half alone. Dylan Winkler made some key blocks out at WR that sprung Bradshaw for TDs on multiple plays. Levi Bradshaw finished the day with 17 carries for 250 yards and 3 TDs. The offensive line made it all possible opening up lanes for the Warriors power running attack. Dylan Fruchtman commanded the offense from QB and punched a 1 yard TD in himself in the 3rd quarter. The Warriors had the game well in hand at 30-18 with less than 10 seconds on the clock when they had a breakdown that led to a Panther TD as time expired. This league thought the Santa Clarita Warriors were just another team in the division. After week 1 the entire league has been put on notice. This team is for real. On to next week against the Simi Valley Bulldogs! - Coach Mike Fruchtman