Panthers on to State
Palo Verde is on to the state title game after beating Las Vegas 42-21 Saturday afternoon.
Palo Verde running back Torin Harris (5) dives for one of his four touchdowns Saturday as the Panthers trounced Las Vegas High 42-21 in the Nevada State semifinals.
Palo Verde's Torin Harris signals the team's standing in the valley after defeating Las Vegas 42-21 Saturday.
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First quarter:
- Palo Verde's defense won the first battle of the 4A state semifinals as it shut down Las Vegas' first offensive drive.
- The Panthers wasted no time Saturday lighting up the scoreboard as Torin Harris broke a 79-yard touchdown on their first offensive play to take a 7-0 lead with 6:21 remaining in the first quarter.
- Torin Harris has done it again. After scoring on a long touchdown run, the USC-bound cornerback picked off an Emir Lopez pass on the Wildcats' first play on the following drive and returned it 20 yards to the house. The Panthers are now leading 14-0.
Second quarter:
- Palo Verde will start the second quarter with a 14-0 lead and the ball deep in the Wildcats' zone. Quarterback Kelly Zurowski just completed a 41-yard pass to Sidney Hodge to set the Panthers up inside the redzone with 11:30 left in the half.
- Las Vegas is now in some serious trouble. On fourth-and-two from the 10-yard line, Palo Verde running back Chaz Thomas scampered into the end zone around the left edge to extend the Panthers' lead to 21-0.
- Reggie Bullock's long return on the ensuing kickoff was wiped out by another Lopez interception. This time is was Hodge on the other corner picking off Las Vegas' errant quarterback.
- Lopez has thrown another interception - his third of the day. Opposing quarterback Kelly Zurowski was the benefactor of another off-target throw by Lopez with less than six minutes remaining in the half.
- Palo Verde could not turn Lopez' third interception into another touchdown as the Wildcats' defense finally tightened up. Las Vegas put together its first successful drive as Lopez found Saveaon Butler in the end zone with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 2:03 remaining in the half. The Wildcats now trail 21-7.
- The Panthers continue to provide the fireworks at Arbor View as Hodge sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the following drive. Hodge's vacation down the left sideline has the Panthers on top 28-7 with 1:48 left in the half.
- Palo Verde had one shot from the two-yard line to add to their lead, but the Wildcats' denied Harris on a goal line leap to prevent a complete blowout.
- Palo Verde heads into the locker room leading 28-7. Two quarters left before a trip to Reno.
Halftime:
- At halftime the Southern Nevada 4A Coaches Association presented the Home News sports editor Ray Brewer with the "best media" award. This is the fourth time the Home News has received this honor.
Third quarter:
- Palo Verde starts the second half with the ball, so Las Vegas' defense better figure out how to stop the Panthers - fast.
- The Wildcats' defense succeeded and stopped a long Panthers' drive short on fourth down. Two plays later, Lopez hit Aaron Franklin on a bubble screen and Franklin scurried 52 yards to the eight yard line. The next play Reggie Bullock punched in the eight-yard touchdown run to slash Las Vegas' deficit to 28-14 with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter.
- Las Vegas' defense continues to come up strong in the second half as the Wildcats now have the ball and are looking to turn this into a one possession game as the score remains 28-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth quarter:
- Las Vegas is right back in this one as Lopez streaked 45 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Wildcats are now only down 28-21 with 11:50 remaining.
- Las Vegas' defense made another key stop. The Wildcats now have the ball on their own 20-yard line with 9:15 left in the contest and a chance to tie the game. A three-and-out doomed that drive as Palo Verde will now receive a punt.
- Palo Verde should probably start making hotel reservations in Reno because Thomas just bolted 44 yards after catching a Zurowski shovel pass for a touchdown with 6:53 remaining. The Panthers lead 35-21.
- Cue the fat lady and warm up Elvis' car because this one is over, because Harris just scored his third touchdown of the game with a 14-yard touchdown run to hand Palo Verde a 42-21 lead and a trip to Reno for the state championship.
- It's official, Palo Verde is heading to the state championship with a 42-21 thumping of Las Vegas after Harris caught his second interception of the game to seal the deal.
Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].
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