Panthers smell the roses

Adam Candee

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002 | 10:08 a.m.

A quick glance over the Palo Verde football schedule does not reveal any dates with Iowa or Penn State, nor does it uncover a showdown versus Ohio State or Michigan.

Ask Panthers coach Darwin Rost what it is like to consistenly face Valley powerhouses like Centennial, Cheyenne, and Cimarron-Memorial in division play, though, and he likens the experience to the one at the next level.

"We play like in the Big 10," Rost said.

While a trip to the Rose Bowl is not on the line, a top region playoff spot from the Northwest region will be when the Panthers (5-2, 1-1) visit the unbeaten Bulldogs (7-0, 2-0) tonight. Palo Verde can stay in the race for the division title with a victory, but will fall to the third seed with a loss.

"We're kind of in a championship game here," Rost said. "We're excited for our kids to be in this championship game."

While the Panthers defeated Coronado in non-league play last week, they have, in essence, had two weeks to prepare for this conference showdown. After playing back-to-back nailbiters against Cimarron and Cheyenne, the non-division game allowed an inexperienced Panthers squad with just four returning starters to regroup.

"It was really perfect timing for us," Rost said.

Sophomore quarterback Jarrell Harrison, a varsity starter this season after just nine games on the freshman squad, said Palo Verde needed the break to straighten out fundamentals.

"It was a really good time to get our blocking schemes straight," Harrison said.

Straight is not a word that can be used to describe the opening of conference play for the Panthers. Palo Verde first survived the lowest scoring Southern Nevada game in decades by besting the Spartans, 2-0. Then, the Panthers dropped a 7-6 heartbreaker to Cheyenne when a late touchdown was called back on a penalty and a desperation field goal fell short to end the game.

That makes for a grand total of eight points scored and seven allowed in two games -- two very unusual games.

"A lot of it is our defense," Rost said. "Our defense has kept us in a lot of games."

Rost and Harrison agree that although the Panthers have been on an emotional roller coaster, the team remains on an even keel heading into this decisive game.

"The intensity around practice is up," Harrison said. "I think everyone is ready."

The Panthers will need every bit of that intensity against an efficient and productive Centennial team. While Palo Verde features an interchangable-parts rushing attack headlined by Gerard Lawson, the Bulldogs also run the ball well with Melvin Matlock, Jarvis Jones and possibly Devin Patterson.

"You've got to make sure you contain them," Rost said. "They have three kids that, at any time, can take it to the house."

Harrison was impressed by the Centennial defense's ability to flow to the football and make tackles.

"I think our offensive line is up for the challenge," Harrison said.

Centennial can clinch the division title and the top seed from the Northwest division with a victory.