Two dominant backs in Javon Bell and Chuck Van Dyke are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. Peoria will challenge Paradise Honors at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Peoria is coming into the contest hot, having won their last six games.
Peoria is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Thunderbird 58-26. The matchup was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Panthers had established a 31-point advantage.
Cristian Zarate
| 10/31/25 vs Thunderbird | 2 |
| 10/24/25 vs Northwest Christian | 1 |
| 09/27/25 vs Poston Butte | 1 |
| 09/19/25 vs Cactus | 1 |
| 09/05/25 @ Kellis | 4 |
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Peoria to victory, but perhaps none more so than Cristian Zarate, who rushed for 137 yards and a pair of scores. What's more, Zarate posted two rushing touchdowns, the most he's had since back in September. David Rojas was in the mix as well, providing Peoria with two touchdowns.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Peoria was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 372 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
Peoria didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off four passes before the game was over. Christopher Barnett led the group effort, picking up two of those interceptions all by himself. Marcell Colenberg has been hot recently, having posted at least one interception the last four times he's played.
Meanwhile, Paradise Honors played a tough game on Thursday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They came up short against Northwest Christian, falling 42-21. The Panthers were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 28-7.
Peoria's record is now 7-3. As for Paradise Honors, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-5 record this season.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Peoria has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 160.4 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Paradise Honors struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 215.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Everything went Peoria's way against Paradise Honors when the teams last played back in October, as Peoria made off with a 29-7 win. Will Peoria repeat their success, or does Paradise Honors has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
