With the game on the line multiple times, the defense of Palo Verde made the stops it needed to finish off a Week Two win over Legacy.
En route to its 28-26 victory, the Panthers made a goal-line stand and forced a turnover within the last two minutes and sealed the game, becoming one of the only 2-0 teams in the city.
“I’m really happy for these boys,” said Palo Verde first-year head coach Dru Smith. “This game is a testament to what I’ve been preaching since I took over.
“Football is an 11-month-of-the-year sport, and we’ve worked our tails off from January to now.”
Going into halftime up 14-6, Legacy’s run game took over as the Longhorns controlled the ground game and possession throughout the second half. In the second half alone, Legacy ran the ball 20 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior Cameron Turner accounted for 80 yards and both touchdowns, finishing with 119 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
His second touchdown of the game came early in the third quarter to tie the game at 14.
The Panthers went three-and-out on their lone third-quarter possession, while the defense kept the game close. It took until the fourth quarter for the Palo Verde offesne to get going.
After a 21-yard catch from junior X’Zavier McZeal, junior James Eliason caught his second 1-yard touchdown pass of the game.
With a 21-14 lead midway through the fourth, Legacy continued to run the ball against Palo Verde’s defense. The Longhorns fooled Palo Verde with a deep pass to senior Dayshawn Bucklew, who caught a 34-yard touchdown from junior Jaelynn Love-Carter.
Legacy got stuffed on a run at the goal line to fail on its following two-point conversion attempt and trail 21-20.
Legacy attempted an onside kick, but Palo Verde recovered with five minutes left.
On the next play, senior quarterback Dillon Carrol found McZeal for a 52-yard touchdown connection to put the Panthers up 28-20. McZeal finished the game with six catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Legacy continued its strong second half, scoring with two minutes remaining on Turner’s third touchdown to make it 28-26.
With under two minutes remaining, Legacy attempted another onside kick, which it successfully recovered.
With time winding down, Love-Carter went to the air, but his pass was tipped near the Panthers’ 10-yard line and intercepted by Eliason.
Following the win, coach Smith praised his team’s ability to stay focused throughout the ending sequence of the game.
“I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff. We just have to keep it cool and believe in the team to make plays when it matters most.”
