2013 Palo Verde Football Capsule
Head coach: Darwin Rost, 18th season (137-44)
2012 record: 7-5 (4-1 Northwest, second)
Returning lettermen: 21
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive sets: Double wing and pistol
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Parker Rost (Sr.); TE Jake Ortale (Sr.); OT Michael Hughes (Sr.); OT Griffin Kemp (Sr.); OG Josh Hamilton (Sr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Jake Ortale (Sr.); DB Sean Dennis (Sr.); DT Michael Hughes (Sr.); DE Griffin Kemp (Sr.); DE Josh Hamilton (Sr.)
Top special teams players: RB/DB Hykeem Massey (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB/LB Jaren Campbell (Jr.); C/DT Joey Laurita (Jr.); TE/LB Jordan Bruner (Jr.); RB/DB Darrion Finn (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/DB Lee Griggs; RB/DB Ryan Beaulieu
Outlook: The Panthers look to bounce back after an uncharacteristic five losses last season.
And while the team will need to reload in the backfield, two-way standouts Ortale, Hughes, Kemp and Hamilton should give the team a physical presence.
Parker Rost, the coach’s son, is back for his third season as the starting quarterback. He passed for 1,512 yards and 20 TDs last season, unusually high numbers for Palo Verde’s double-wing offense.
But the Panthers have added more pistol sets in recent seasons, and may end up having to throw even more this year, as there is little experience returning in the backfield.
Griggs led the team with 1,060 rushing yards and 11 TDs last season, and Beaulieu made plays in the running game, receiving game and on special teams, scoring a total of 23 TDs. He rushed for 683 yards and caught 22 passes for 709 yards and 13 TDs.
Ortale is the top returning receiving threat. he caught 18 passes for 345 yards and three scores last season.
Hughes (6-3, 295), Hamilton (6-2, 220) and Ortale (6-4, 215) all were first team All-Northwest League picks on defense, and should help the Panthers slow the opposition.
All three also made the first team All-Northwest on offense, and will team with the 265-pound Kemp to help control the line of scrimmage.
