Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

kickoff 2016:

Palo Verde expects to compete for Northwest League title

The league is considered the state’s best, but Palo Verde confident it will be near top of standings

Las Vegas Sun's HS Football Top 10

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Palo Verde High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Stephen Garcia, Maxie Miller-Hooks, and Tyler Thornton.

2016 High School Football

Members of the Cheyenne High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Corwin Bush, William Federson, John Tarver, and Deriontae Green. Launch slideshow »
Prep Sports Now

Football: There is no close second

Las Vegas Sun sports editors Ray Brewer and Case Keefer ring in the start of football season by discussing some of the valley's top storylines and teams, like Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Arbor View and Desert Pines.

The Palo Verde High football team has had many leagues rivals since opening in the mid-1990s.

First, they had to dethrone Cimarron-Memorial as the Northwest League’s best program in the early 2000s. Then, it had to fight off Centennial and Arbor View for supremacy.

The league, affectionately called the “Black and Blue Division” for its tough games, was split four years ago with realignment. This year it returns, and Palo will face all of its rivals from yesteryear.

“We have to win them all,” Panthers coach Joe Aznarez said. “That is the mindset with have to have. The old cliche, ‘Take it one game at a time.’ We feel we can compete against everyone of those teams. They all standout to me.”

Palo Verde’s streak of winning at least one playoff game was snapped last season after more than a decade when the Panthers were upset at home by Desert Oasis. That defeat has fueled the offseason training.

“It has been at the forefront of our players’ mind,” Aznarez said. “It’s something we aren’t used to. It’s not something we are going to repeat.”

Aznarez said the goals for the season are to compete for a league championship and advance in the playoffs.

Palo Verde will lean on senior Tyler Thornton (6-foot-6, 200-pounds) at linebacker and tight end. Thornton, who has scholarship offers from Navy and Idaho, was one of the team’s leaders in tackles last year with 47. He added a team-best 10 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Maxie Miller-Hooks and Daniel Bellinger at linebacker, and Stephen Garcia at nose guard are expected to be key performers.

“We like to be physical,” Miller-Hooks said of the defense. “It is what we do.”

Offensively, junior Chamere Thomas will receive plenty of carries, and Miller-Hooks doubles at fullback.

“I like the direction we are heading both offensively and defensively,” Aznarez said.

Palo Verde opens Friday by hosting Las Vegas in a rematch of the 2004 state championship game. It also has nonleague games against Green Valley and Foothill before heading into Northwest play.

“No weak sisters in that league,” Aznarez said. “You can’t take anybody for granted. No bye weeks. You are going to go compete every week in that league, which is what we want to do.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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