Keith Parker rejects the notion the Patterson Ravens varsity youth football team needed to win its regular season finale against the Winton Cowboys to give itself a lift going into the playoffs.

But when his team lost 30-16 on the road Saturday, Oct. 24 — playing without top players Avion Warnsley and Brandon Williams — there was a sense of urgency to clean up mistakes and bolster confidence heading into the postseason.

Parker hopes the Ravens can do that by Saturday, Oct. 31, when they face the Cowboys again for the right to represent the Western Athletic Conference in the Trans Valley Youth Football League’s Super Bowl.

The Ravens can start by putting Saturday’s loss behind them.

“We had our opportunities,” Parker said. “Turnovers and penalties ended up costing us the game. Our reserve players played their hearts out, though.”

After trailing 14-0 early, the Ravens bounced back to tie the game.

Patterson quarterback Jonathan Perez hooked up with Malik Smith for a 60-yard TD strike and with Jacob Gomez for a 53-yard catch-and-run score.

But running back Jacob Gomez suffered a neck injury in the second half, and momentum swung in favor of Winton.

Parker said he expects the team to be at full strength for the postseason.

“I’m not going to make any excuses,” he added. “Winton has a very good team, and they’re going to push us in the playoffs. Still, I’m proud of how the kids stepped up and played well without their teammates.”

Junior varsity

The JV Ravens’ defense allowed one score. The way Demario Hammond played, they had plenty of room for error.

The Ravens’ back ran for four touchdowns, leading Patterson to a 58-6 victory.

Patterson’s Hunter Powers and Ruben Rosas added a touchdown apiece in the blowout — the Ravens’ final regular-season test before facing the Westside Niners in the TVYFL playoffs Saturday, Oct. 31.

“We are not overconfident,” Patterson coach Read Weinzheimer said. “We are focused. We set a goal at the beginning of the season, and now we are going for it. We are seasoned, tough and ready to go.”

• Results for other Ravens teams were not submitted by press time.