3A South: Palo Verde Titans
2022 record: 2-8 overall, 0-5 in the 3A South (sixth)
Head coach: Jamal Chatman, second season at Palo Verde. He spent four seasons (2012 to 2016) as head coach at Gorham (Maine) High School. He has been at Palo Verde since 2018, moving here because his wife wanted to live in a warmer climate. He served as the Titans’ track and field coach and junior-varsity football coach before last season. He is a Houston native who attended Texas Southern University.
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Key returners:
- WR/DB Julian Blackburne, Jr.
- LB/RB Marshall McElroy, Sr.
- ATH Kameron Pippen, Soph.
- T/DE Gabe Pratoomratana, Jr.
PALO VERDE COACH JAMAL CHATMAN
PALO VERDE LB/RB MARSHALL McELROY
PALO VERDE T/DE GABE PRATOOMRATANA
PALO VERDE ATHLETE KAMERON PIPPEN
Coaching staff:
- Head coach: Jamal Chatman
- Associate head coach/Defensive coordinator/JV head coach: Keith Smith
- Offensive coordinator: Jamal Chatman
- Defensive/offensive line/special teams coordinator: Kyon Smith
- Linebackers/running backs: Gabe Zazueta
- Running backs/defensive backs/special teams: Jeff Brown
- Wide receivers/defensive backs: Carsten Woods & Daniel Moreno
- Offense line/defensive line: Joshua Carlson
- Running backs/receivers/defensive backs/linebackers: Kelton Ferry
Notes: Palo Verde has gone from being in the 4A in 2021 to 3A last season to 2A this season. The move to 2A is ideal for a Titan program that has struggled with participation numbers. The 3A South is also highly competitive with Sabino, Pusch Ridge, Safford and Thatcher (and now former 2A power Morenci). … Palo Verde is the last inner-city public school from Southern Arizona to win a state championship in 2005. … The move to 2A should help Palo Verde become more competitive with almost 30 players on the varsity roster, whereas two years ago, only close to 20 showed up with only two seniors. The Titans were forced to play only a JV season. … Palo Verde opens at Wellton Antelope High School, which is located east of Yuma, on Aug. 18. After a week off, the Titans host Rincon/University on Sept. 1. … Santa Rita transfer Joseph Badilla, a sophomore running back/linebacker, is appealing the AIA to gain immediate eligibility this season after going to Palo Verde to play at the varsity level because the Eagles are competing only a junior varsity schedule this season because of a lack of upperclassmen.
Keep an eye out for: ATH Kameron Pippen, a sophomore who is a standout point guard in basketball for the Titans. Pippen is an athlete who has experience starting at quarterback last year as a freshman. He will play more at running back, cornerback and safety. … Pippen said he is a distant cousin of Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen. He works out at Palo Verde with Titan great Bryce Cotton, who is a three-time MVP of Australia’s National Basketball League.
PALO VERDE
Head coach: Jamal Chatman (4-16, third year at Palo Verde and overall)Titans compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Ovr | Reg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/30 | Antelope Union | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/6 | at Rincon/University | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/13 | at Coronado | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/20 | Tanque Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/27 | Santa Rita | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/4 | at Benson* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/11 | Bisbee* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/18 | at Willcox* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/25 | at Catalina* | -- | -- | -- |
| 11/1 | Tombstone* | -- | -- | -- |
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District
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