Following the Hermiston Hurricanes 2010 Washington Football League championship run, the Hurricane management refused to play the Greater Northwest Regional Championship game against the Portland Monarchs to the dismay of many of the players.  This prompted a mutiny away from the Hurricanes and former players banded together to form the Panthers for 2011.  The Panthers would play an independent schedule under the GNFA banner to prove they belonged in the Pacific Football League lineup for 2012.

The schedule put together would line up the Panthers against the Monarchs in week two, but was heavily weighted to Professional Developmental League teams who were struggling with their own ability to get games.  All-Time Evergreen Football League leading rusher Brandon Tate would feature with Umatilla.

Umatilla took the opener over Boise 14-7 before falling to the Monarchs the following week.  Blowing out the Washington Cavaliers in week three, the Panthers stunned the Bellingham Blitz in what would be their only loss of the season enroute to a 12-1 season and Western Washington Alliance championship.  Two weeks later Bellingham would get their revenge initiating a three-game losing streak by large margins culminating in a finale forfeit to the Tacoma Cobras following a 63-26 loss on June 4th.

The Panthers would not return and some players made their way back to the Hurricanes for the 2012 season after a 3-4 campaign as an independent.

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