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The Pelham Panthers capped off an energetic and successful week with a win in the Paws Cup over the Helena Huskies, seeing Jair Camargo Martinez score two goals for his squad in the process. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HELENA – In the middle of a cold night on Saturday, April 12, the Pelham Panthers made the short trip over to Helena High School for another edition of one of high school’s biggest rivalries, but it was one player who stood above the rest for the entire match.

Jair Camargo Martinez helped lead Pelham to a 2-0 victory over the Helena Huskies in the Paws Cup, completing the school’s first-ever sweep of both trophies after the girls team won just prior to the boys.

Martinez fulfilled his captain role to the fullest on the night, becoming a vocal leader for his teammates in the midst of scoring both of the Panthers’ goals on the night and pushing them to a win.

Even with the factor Martinez played in the win, head coach Patrick McDonald was proud of his entire team, who had just won their fourth game in a row and won their second trophy game in three days.

“I’m very happy with the kids having the best week of the season,” McDonald said. “To have the biggest week of the season capped with a rival win, winning on the road, shutout—I can’t be more proud of the boys.”

From the opening kick of the game, the momentum shifted in Pelham’s favor. The Panthers saw a shot nearly go in the goal in the 15th minute of action, but missed over the top of the crossbar.

In the 17th minute, Jose Ramirez Acosta took a shot from the left side that was saved, keeping the game tied, but inching the Panthers closer to breaking the scoreless knot. The 19th and 20th minutes saw the two shots sail over the goal as well, as they continued coming close to a score.

A few minutes after Helena saw a scoring opportunity get saved on the left side, another opportunity for Pelham presented itself. In the 32nd minute of play, a free kick was awarded from 28 yards out. Juan Bravo-Sandoval gave a short touch after the whistle to Martinez, who struck it from 27 yards into the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The goal was what boosted the energy upward for the Panthers, giving them what they needed for even more scoring chances. With a chance to go up two goals before the half in the 36th minute, Johan Favero sailed a shot over the goal, negating the hope.

However, the tides continued to turn early on in the second half. In the 45th minute, Martinez was going for the ball inside of the 18-yard box when he was taken down on the right side, issuing a penalty kick for Pelham.

Martinez took the chance and ran with it, easily scoring on a smooth kick to the left side of the goal and putting his squad up 2-0 and displaying his jolity in the moment.

As the second half continued on, things began to get emotional for both teams in their spearate ways. For the Huskies, the 56th minute saw Devon Sasser have to leave the game after his second yellow card of the game, resulting in a red. Austin Lewis also picked up a yellow in the 75th minute, right before the end of the game.

The Panthers then saw the final five minutes of the game run out and celebrated as they took hold of another win in the Paws Cup series, completing their sweep of the night over one of their biggest rivals.

Pelham improved to 14-4-3 on the year with the victory. Now, it prepares for arguably its most crucial game of the year against the Briarwood Christian Lions on Thursday, April 17 on the road. However, before that, it will hit the road to play at Benjamin Russell on Monday, April 14 at 7:15 p.m.

As for Helena, it falls to 9-7-2 and will stay home for its final area game before the postseason when it matches up with the Hueytown Golden Gophers on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m.

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