Football Game Preview: Palo Verde Panthers vs. Liberty Patriots

Palo Verde and Liberty are an even 3-3 against one another since December of 2021, but not for long. The Palo Verde Panthers will be playing at home against the Liberty Patriots at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Palo Verde is coming into the match hot, having won their last nine games.

Palo Verde is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Nevada's top teams: Centennial, who was ranked 21st at the time (Palo Verde was ranked first). Palo Verde never let Centennial onto the board and left with a 19-0 victory on Monday.

It was another big night for Samantha Manzo, who rushed for 108 yards and one touchdown. That's the most rushing yards she has posted since back in December of 2023.

Palo Verde didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Caitlyn Torpey and Manzo.

Meanwhile, Liberty was fully in charge on Tuesday, breezing past Foothill 51-0. Considering the Patriots have won seven games by more than 23 points this season, Tuesday's blowout was nothing new.

Palo Verde better keep an eye on Jianna Reyes. She was instrumental in Liberty's win, throwing for 380 yards and five touchdowns. The team also got some help courtesy of Kilolo Westerlund, who picked up 134 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Palo Verde's win was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 14-1. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 30.0 points per game. As for Liberty, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 10-2.

Palo Verde took their win against Liberty in their previous meeting back in January of 2024 by a conclusive 34-12. Does Palo Verde have another victory up their sleeve, or will Liberty turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.