Palo Verde lost its first game of the season at Chandler Seton Catholic by 20 points without junior sensation Caleena Blackburne and has gone unbeaten in the last four games with her, winning by an average margin of 34.5 points.
— 26-7 over visiting Rio Rico behind 68 yards on nine carries by Blackburne
— 56-0 over visiting Phoenix Madison Highland Prep behind 112 yards on four carries with three touchdowns for Blackburne
— 39-0 over visiting ALA-Ironwood behind 121 yards on four rushes with two touchdowns from Blackburne
— 30-6 over host Tanque Verde behind 142 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns by Blackburne
That speaks volumes of how valuable she is to the Titans.
Blackburne is one of the fastest sprinters in the state — finishing second this spring in the state meet in the 100-meter dash in 12.4 seconds as a sophomore — and that speed and athleticism is burning Palo Verde’s opponents on the football field.
Although she has played in only four games, she ranks third in the state in rushing with 443 yards on 86 carries, a phenomenal average of 17.4 yards per attempt.
Nobody in the state has more touchdown runs than Blackburne, who has compiled eight.
For her overall success and impact on Palo Verde’s flag football team in September, Blackburne is the Jet Sports Training Female Athlete of the Month for August.
2026 JET SPORTS TRAINING FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH HONORS
January 2026: Pueblo basketball player America Cazares
February 2026: Cienega wrestler Daesiah Varner
March 2026: Marana softball player Bella Corona
April 2026: Salpointe softball player Macee Jackson
May 2026: Amphi track and field athlete Monica Verrett
June 2026: Rincon/University golfer Ariela Renee Trejo
July 2026: Thornydale Junior League standout Kenzie Scott
August 2026: Salpointe golfer Samantha Saxon
September 2026: Palo Verde flag football player C
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