Panthers score on first four possessions, roll to win over Trailblazers

Palo Verde scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and cruised to a 40-7 home win over Durango (5-5) in the Sunset Region playoffs on Friday.

Palo Verde (10-0) will host Centennial Thursday in a Sunset Region semifinal.

Senior running back Eric South scored on runs of 17 yards and 1 yard in the first quarter, and led the Panthers with 73 yards on 12 carries.

Palo Verde’s quarterback Parker Rost threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Rost had a 13-yard scoring toss to Lee Griggs, and a 57-yard TD pass to Ryan Beaulieu, who also intercepted a pass on defense.

Jacob Witham added a 32-yard TD run, and Jonathan Maxwell finished the scoring on a 30-yard scamper.

Durango’s Arie McQuaig scored on a 39-yard fumble return, and compiled 51 yards rushing to lead the Trailblazers, who got an interception from Mike Figueroa.

Griggs contributed 69 yards on 12 rushes, and Jerrol Garcia-Williams had an interception and six tackles on defense for Palo Verde.