Palo Verde eyes return to state title game

By Steve Silver

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Football coaches often preach about the importance of minute aspects of the game.

They stress the value of every inch, yard, second and point.

Perhaps no team knows the significance of those minuscule increments better than the Palo Verde Panthers after losing the 2008 4A state championship by a single point, 13-12, to Reno’s McQueen High.

That one point was the difference between a record-setting perfect season to cherish for a lifetime and a solemn nine-hour bus ride home from Reno to forget as quickly as possible.

“I can see even if you mention anything about that game the guys still get a little teary eyed,” said the newest Panther, Del Sol transfer running back Ernest Hall.

It is those emotions from coming so close to capturing a state title that could make Palo Verde the most dangerous team in the valley.

The Panthers start that quest to return to the state championship, which will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium this season, on Aug. 28 against Spring Valley.

“It’s all about redemption this year,” said senior linebacker and offensive lineman Daniel Godkin, who notched 85 tackles and six sacks last season. “We’re going to get back there. That’s all I’m thinking about. It’s my senior year and I want to leave with a bang. I want to be defensive player of the year and walk around with that fat championship ring”

In order to make another run at the state title, though, the Panthers will have to find a way to replace a number of talented graduates including Torin Harris (USC), Liloa Nobriga (Colorado), Sidney Hodge (UNLV) and Chaz Thomas (Minnesota-Duluth)

The Panthers’ electrifying lineup last season rushed for 4,355 yards and passed for another 1,213 yards, while outscoring opponents 549-171.

“Our returning guys really respect the kids that graduated and they really looked up to those guys and I think they learned a lot of football from those guys,” Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. “They want to keep carrying that tradition on. It’s tough to get back in that state championship game. We have been in the semi-state championship game seven years in a row, but that grand daddy is a lot different game. That’s the big show. We are hoping to get a shot at it again.”

Although Palo Verde will continue to run its tradition wing-T offense, the Panthers have already switched up its defensive look by moving Godkin from defensive lineman to inside linebacker and Tyrone Blake from outside linebacker to safety.

Hall will join Blake at safety to form one of the hardest hitting secondary duos in the valley.

“I’m still adapting to the coverage part, but I really love the hitting,” said Blake, who has offers from Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. “We have some good guys stepping up this year and we are going to get back to that state championship game and win it.”

In addition to the number of skilled players moving up from Palo Verde’s one-loss junior varsity team, the Panthers also added Centennial transfer Brandon Wright and Shadow Ridge transfer Tyler Marshall.

Even with their deep pool of talent, the Panthers know they will have to beat a number of solid teams to advance through the playoffs including division foes Cimarron-Memorial and Cheyenne as well as arch-rival Bishop Gorman.

“We have a tough schedule, but we have to keep inching forward,” Rost said. “I’ve been doing this a long time and I know one thing for sure and that it is a long road to the state championship and right now it’s only August.”

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].