Bring on Palo Verde: Arbor View sets up mega-clash with 52-0 win

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 | 11:52 p.m.

There was no looking ahead to the biggest game of the year Friday night from Arbor View.

A week before the Aggies host rival Palo Verde next Friday for the Northwest division title, they routed Sierra Vista 52-0.

“We put ourselves right where we want to be: Playing for the league championship,” Arbor View coach Dan Barnson said. “We’ve just got to go out, prepare, line up against Palo Verde and see what happens.”

Arbor View defeated Palo Verde for the first time in school history in last season’s regular-season finale. But the Panthers have come back stronger in 2013, sporting the same 7-0 overall, 4-0 league record as the Aggies.

Palo Verde should know what’s coming from its rival — steady doses of Anthony Smith and Salah Boyce. The two-way starters have emerged as Arbor View’s most consistent threats.

Against Sierra Vista, Smith and Boyce each had two touchdowns. Smith rushed for 133 yards on 10 carries, while Boyce caught a touchdown pass and also returned a fumble for a score.

Thanks to turnovers, Arbor View had 25 points before it ever gained a first down.

“Everyone knows about next week,” Barnson said. “It’s going to be a packed house. It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be fun.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.