THE PANTHERS will be without starting quarterback Devin Holden (16) on Friday night against Concord after suffering a concussion last week at Armijo.

Benicia High’s varsity football team gets one final tune-up before the start of the Solano County Athletic Conference season when the Panthers play at Concord on Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Panthers (2-2) have yet to put together a complete game this season and will be without senior starting quarterback Devin Holden, who suffered an injury in a 24-16 victory over Armijo last week. Fellow senior Joseph Lee will get his first start at quarterback after completing 4-of-7 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Indians.

“Devin got banged pretty good,” said his father, Benicia head coach Craig Holden. “He passed all the neurological tests and everything but we’re gonna hold him out. We have a bye next week so we’ll rest him for two weeks and get him back out there.”

The Panthers will also give some extra rest to senior wide receiver Mario Ferriera, who hasn’t played since separating his shoulder against Granada in the season opener.

Lee has only attempted eight passes and will try to jumpstart a Panther offense that hasn’t clicked all season. Benicia rushed for minus-4 yards in the second half against Armijo and scored only once in the game’s final 29:49.

“I think Joe will do a fine job,” Holden said. “Hopefully we hit a couple things early and get his confidence up. We’ve been struggling in a lot of different areas. It’s a team effort and we’re making mistakes as a team.”

Devin Holden made his varsity debut coming off the bench for an injured Riley Pitkin in last year’s season opener against Concord. Holden nearly led Benicia to a comeback win but Concord ultimately held on for a 14-13 victory.

The Minutemen (3-1) have won three straight games after a 27-26 loss to Wood in their season opener. Concord’s three wins have come by an average margin of nearly 34 points, including a 30-8 victory over Liberty last week. The Minutement beat Benicia, 48-13, when the two teams met in Concord in the 2014 season opener.

Concord is led by junior quarterback Nick Nunez, who has completed 58-of-95 passes (61 percent) of his passes for 863 yards and eight touchdowns with six interceptions. By contrast, Benicia has thrown for only 519 yards and four touchdowns.

Mike Davis Jr. leads Concord’s ground attack and has four rushing touchdowns this season. Senior Joey Agostino is Concord’s biggest receiving threat and already has 22 receptions and three touchdowns.

Benicia counters with a defense that came six minutes away from recording its second shutout in the past three games. Twin brothers Jalen and Jeremiah Lane combined for three interceptions and a fumble recovery against Armijo.

“Our defense has been playing well,” Holden said. “They’ve battled and done a good job, and they’re going to have to step up again this week.”

The Panthers have a bye next week before opening the SCAC season at American Canyon on Oct. 7. American Canyon is off to a 4-0 start this season and hosts Armijo on Friday night.

Sharing is caring!