The Palo Verde cheerleaders and fans cheer on their team as the take on Arbor View Thursday, September 1, 2011. Palo Verde came out on top 14-7.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 | 12:28 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
The Great Northwest
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer look ahead to another week of high school football and detail why the Northwest division appears to be the strongest in town. Palo Verde, Arbor View, Centennial, Cimarron and Cheyenne have all looked impressive in the early season.
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The Palo Verde defense posted four shutouts last season.
The Panthers look like they’ll break that impressive mark with ease in 2011. After Friday’s 48-0 win against Mojave, Palo Verde has held two opponents scoreless and only given up seven points to Arbor View.
“And Arbor View had one long 60-yard run to set them up with their touchdown or else maybe they wouldn’t have scored,” Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. “Our defense has done a good job and has been really physical. I like the way they are playing.”
Jared Lucero and Dillon Chaisson led the way for the Palo Verde defense against Mojave with a combined five tackles for losses. Jerrol Garcia-Williams also returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown.
Sophomore quarterback Parker Rost was perfect on offense. He went 4-for-4 with three touchdowns.
Jonathan Maxwell had two of the receiving touchdowns, while Jake Ortale had the third. The other reception went to Lee Griggs, who scored two rushing touchdowns.
Senior running back Eric South led the Panthers in rushing with 116 yards, which included an 87-yard touchdown run.
“They all played well,” Rost said. “It was a solid effort.”
Mojave High School is Rattler Nation, but really it’s home to underdogs.
Minutes from the Nellis Air Force Base the school is nestled near Commerce Street and West Ann Road, an area littered with foreclosed homes.
The school is attended by many students who are underprivileged or at-risk. After Mojave failed to meet No Child Left Behind standards it became one of five Clark County Schools determined to do a 180.
In order to make the turnaround a reality, Mojave has implemented new faculty, extended the school day by 20 minutes and is geared towards boosting school spirit.
“The problem we have right now is that our children aren’t proud of their own school,” Mojave principal Antonio Rael explained an August interview. “When our children begin to take pride in our school, our community will follow.”
- Year built:
- 1997
- Mascot:
- Rattle Snake
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Antonio Rael (2001)
- School motto:
- “Promoting Achievement, Creating Success”
- Mission Statement:
- “The Mission of the Mojave High School Community is to provide a safe learning environment that will empower students to develop excellence, pride, respect, and skills necessary for future success.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,000
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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