Gators rally in fourth quarter to stun Panthers

After the final play of the third quarter Friday at Green Valley, the host Gators trailed Palo Verde by 15 points and seemed destined for defeat.

By the end of the fourth quarter, it was No. 7 Green Valley that was in victory formation, running out the clock to close out the win.

In between, Green Valley's offense exploded for 22 straight points behind A.J. Amelburu's three fourth-quarter touchdown passes, as the Gators rallied for a stunning 42-35 victory over Palo Verde.

Palo Verde held a 35-20 lead as the fourth quarter began, but Green Valley (2-2) outgained the Panthers 181 to minus-30 in the period.

So what changed?

"Intensity. Intensity, that's what changed," said sophomore receiver Marquez Powell, who had three touchdown receptions, as well the game-tying catch on a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter. "And big-time players made big-time plays."

Another one of those players was sophomore receiver Christian Mayberry, who hauled in two touchdowns in the final quarter, including the go-ahead, 14-yard score with 2:42 left.

"I just ran a little corner route and found myself wide open, and I was by myself for the touchdown," said Mayberry, who finished the game with four receptions for 108 yards. "My mind was just going crazy trying to win this game. We just had to come back and win this game after that loss to Arbor View. We just didn't want to lose this game."

Palo Verde (1-4) had one final possession, but Green Valley junior linebacker Drake Maningo's interception with 1:31 left allowed the Gators to run out the clock to clinch the victory.

The Gators appeared nowhere close to victory after Palo Verde running back Thaddeus Wiley scored on a 12-yard run on the final play of the third quarter that put the Panthers ahead 35-20.

But Mayberry turned the momentum on the ensuing drive with a spectacular catch at the Palo Verde 40 for a 22-yard gain on third-and-7. Two plays later, Amelburu connected with Mayberry on a pass in the end zone from 36 yards out to cut the Palo lead to 35-27 with 10:19 left.

Green Valley's defense then forced a three-and-out. That allowed Amelburu to find Powell on a 9-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 35-33.

"I just wanted to make plays for my team," said Powell. "They needed me. All I wanted to do was score and get my team on the board. That's all I wanted to do."

Powell also came through on the ensuing 2-point try, after first breaking left at the goal line, then coming back right to catch a bullet from Amelburu that tied the game at 35-35 with 6:52 left.

"I was actually surprised he threw me the ball, because I did get jammed pretty good at the line," said Powell. "But it was a great pass by my quarterback."

Amelburu threw for 197 yards — with 184 of those coming in the second half — and also rushed for 72 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown run that gave the Gators a 13-8 lead with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

But Palo Verde shut down Green Valley in the second quarter, and touchdown runs by Christian Bell and Wiley gave the Panthers a 22-13 lead at halftime.

Wiley had TD runs of 50, 57 and 12 yards, and finished with 147 rushing yards on 12 carries for Palo Verde.

But in the end, the Gators found a way to overcome Wiley and the Panthers.

"We just had a great mindset. Then momentum was going our way. We finally had the sideline and crowd cheering and hyping us up," said Mayberry. "It's huge. It gives us momentum for next week. Now, I just want Liberty."