In a highly anticipated Friday night football matchup, the Dinuba Emperors rose to the top in a dominant performance against the Washington Union Panthers, cruising to a 42-26 victory. Heading into Friday night, an unranked Dinuba was predictedd to lose the matchup to the undefeated, #19-ranked Panthers.
The Emperors’ offense clicked early and often, mixing explosive plays through the air and on the ground. Junior quarterback Tony Ibarra and senior running back Nate Lopez could not be contained, combining for seven total touchdowns. Lopez had a breakout game with videogame-like numbers, rushing for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, while receiving 32 yards and one touchdown. Ibarra threw three touchdown passes, but it was his ability to run the ball that was key in the win, rushing for 109 yards on just six carries. Senior Lorenzo Williams and junior Leo Vega both caught and scored a touchdown each. Sophomore kicker Manny Garza was 100% on point after attempts, going 6/6 on the night.
Despite the Emperors’ strong offensive showing, the Panthers refused to back down. Washington Union showed flashes of resilience, with big plays on both offense and special teams, managing to put up 26 points over 4 quarters. However, the Panthers struggled to contain Dinuba’s balanced attack and were unable to sustain drives long enough to close the scoring gap. Crucial defensive stops were few and far between, and a couple of costly turnovers swung momentum decisively in favor of the Emperors.
Dinuba’s defense deserves plenty of credit for the win as well. The Emperors applied relentless pressure on the Panthers’ quarterback, forcing hurried throws and creating turnovers at key moments. Junior defensive end Martin Aguilar recorded two sacks, having his best game so far. The secondary was aggressive yet disciplined, causing pass break-ups and making essential tackles in the open field. This defensive effort kept the Panthers from coming back, especially during the fourth and final quarter when Dinuba extended its lead and put the game out of reach. The Emperors’ ability to play complementary football — offense, defense, and special teams — proved to be the key to success.
With this impressive victory, the Dinuba Emperors are now on a 3-game winning streak. They are slowly making a name for themselves and have given their fans plenty to cheer about. Dinuba has improved its record to 3-2 heading into its bye week, as it prepares for league play and faces the Hanford Bullpups (2-3) next Friday, October 3. Be sure to continue to show your support for our football program!