Palo Verde Capsule Preview

2007 record: 12-1 (7-0 Northwest).

Returning starters: Five offense, six defense.

Top players: QB/DB Jahari Selmon (Jr.); RB/DB Sidney Hodge (JSr.); RB/DB Torin Harris (Sr.); QB/DB Kelly Zurowski (Sr.); FB/LB Tyrone Blake (Jr.); TE/DB Alex Bonczyk (Sr.); RB/LB Chaz Thomas (Sr.); OT/LB Liloa Nobriga (Sr.); G/LB David Castro (Sr.).

Outlook: The Panthers are loaded at the offensive skill positions, but have questions on the offensive line., where they’ve shifted a former fullback (Castro) and tight end (Nobriga), and will start two players who were on the junior varsity last year.

Yet with more than 3,000 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns returning in the backfield, Palo’s offensive focus will remain the same — hand it off and let them run. Thomas is healthy after nursing injuries last year, and Harris and Hodge can be just as explosive.

The Panthers’ defense, while not big, disrupted teams with its speed last year. And with nearly the entire linebacking crew and secondary back this year, that’s not likely to change.

If both lines play reasonably well, there’s no reason to think Palo can’t repeat as league champions.