HARRIS TAKES OVER STATE SEMIFINAL EARLY

Torin Harris sprinted 69 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown on Palo Verde’s first offensive play to give the Panthers an early lead over Las Vegas in Saturday’s Class 4A state semifinal game at Arbor View High School.
It didn’t take him long to extend that advantage for the Panthers.
Harris intercepted an Emir Lopez pass on the next snap and went 30 yards down the right sideline to give Palo Verde a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.
At halftime, the Panthers margin has increased to 28-7, but it easily could have been worse. Palo Verde had the ball at the 2-yard line with 5 seconds remaining in the first half, but Harris was stopped at the 1 as he tried to launch himself over the pile as time expired.
The Palo Verde defense intercepted Las Vegas quarterback Emir Lopez three times in the first half.
Lopez was intercepted just seven times in 334 attempts all season, entering today’s game.
Palo Verde outgained Las Vegas 287 yards to 174 in the first half. Sidney Hodge ran for 97 yards and a score, while Harris added 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

PALO OPENS THE DOOR ... BRIEFLY

Palo Verde held a 21-point lead and all the momentum with just over 3 minutes to play in the first half, but it opened the door a crack and Las Vegas pushed its way through.

The Panthers faced a fourth-and-2 from their own 48 and decided to go for the first down instead of punting. The Wildcats defense stopped the rushing attempt and their offense took just three plays to get on the scoreboard for the first time.

It didn’t take the Panthers long to slam the door shut yet again, however.

Sidney Hodge went 80 yards down the left sideline on the very next play to extend the lead back to three scores and quiet the Las Vegas crowd that had become quite vocal after the Wildcats’ touchdown.

BLUSTERY BEGINNING

On the game’s opening drive, the wind likely cost Las Vegas a touchdown.

Saeveon Butler ran a go-route down the left sideline, and a pump fake by Emir Lopez completely fooled the Palo Verde defense.

Butler was 15 yards clear of any defender, but Lopez’s pass fluttered to him and Butler was forced to go the ground to make the catch.

Had he made the catch on his feet, the play would have gone for a sure touchdown.

The drive eventually resulted in a punt.

Expect the wind to continue to be a 12th defender for Palo Verde as Las Vegas will have to throw the ball quite a bit if they hope to make a comeback.

RARE SIGHT

Palo Verde threw the ball on four straight plays on one possession in the first half.

It was a rare sight to see from an offense that traditionally runs the ball so often that Woody Hayes would be jealous.

In fact, the Panthers averaged just less than six passing attempts per game this season.

Perhaps Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost saw something on tape that led him to believe his team could pass on Las Vegas because the drive resulted in the Panthers' third touchdown of the game.

The touchdown came on yet another pass, though it was a shovel pass that Chaz Thomas broke for a 10-yard score.

The Panthers actually attempted eight passes in the first half.