The Jordan football program has been champing at the bit to get back on the field after narrowly missing the CIF playoffs last season in the first year under coach Jon Nielsen.
Tonight the Panthers will get a chance to start over when they host North Torrance in the season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“I’m glad we didn’t make the playoffs because in a lot of ways we didn’t deserve it,” Nielsen said. “We’re changing culture, and those things take time.”
North went 8-3 last year to finish second in the Pioneer League and then lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Saxons haven’t had a losing season since 2011. They reached the Division 9 championship game in 2019.
Last year, Jordan averaged over 30 points per game while quarterback J.J. Nielsen and running back Jordan Washington put up impressive numbers. Nielsen had 24 total touchdowns while Washington averaged almost 140 yards rushing per game.
Jordan won its season opener at Kennedy last year 30-21. The Panthers haven’t lost a season opener since 2019.
