2018 Palo Verde Football Capsule
PALO VERDE
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Joe Aznarez, fourth season (11-19)
2017 record: 4-6 (2-4 Northwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Double wing, Pistol
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: OL Trent Ausbon (Sr.); OL Jonah Singer (Sr.); WR/TE Karsonne Winters (Sr.); OL Landon Cooper (Sr.); RB Mike Torres (Sr.)
Top defensive players: S Karsonne Winters; LB Trent Ausbon (Sr.); LB Tony Lang (Sr.)
Top newcomers: RB Charron Thomas (So.); QB Jacob Siqueros (Jr.); TE/S Joseph Kalas (Jr.)
Key losses: LB/TE Daniel Bellinger; RB Chamere Thomas; QB Nick Zuppas
Outlook: The Panthers have made the postseason in 18 consecutive seasons. Getting there the last two seasons has been difficult.
Palo Verde edged Shadow Ridge on a tiebreaker for the Northwest’s final playoff spot last season after dropping its final game of the regular season.
The Panthers must replace first-team all-state linebacker Bellinger, who had 131 tackles and three sacks. He also doubled as the team’s top receiver with 22 catches for 371 yards and three TDs.
Chamere Thomas led the team with 1,166 rushing yards and 18 TDs, and also will be difficult to replace.
Winters, a second-team All-Northwest League pick at safety, should lead the defense after recording 39 tackles and two interceptions.
“We hope to continue our playoff streak,” Aznarez said. “We will have several players playing both ways, so health will be a big concern.”
