 As a senior in 1945 he led the Maroon to an undefeated season and a trip to New Orleans for a special high school bowl game at Tulane Stadium.He was a starting quarterback for Boston College and the University of San Francisco.Despite being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 4th Round of the 1949 NFL Draft, Panciera joined the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference who selected him in the sixth round of the 1949 AAFC Draft.