Paradise receiver Elijah Jennings secures a 28-yard touchdown reception in the Panthers’ 27-7 win against Jim Ned Friday in the 3AI region semifinals. MIKE HALL | FOR THE MESSENGER

Paradise barely escaped Jim Ned with a win in the third round of the 2024 playoffs.

This year, the Panthers made a statement in the 3A Division I region semifinals in a rematch against the Indians. After giving up a first quarter touchdown, Paradise (12-1) fortified its already-elite defense to post a shutout over the next three periods and leave Abilene with a 27-7 Black Friday victory.

The Indians struck first on a 34-yard drive, where running back Cole Chittum jogged in for a 5-yard rushing touchdown at the 5:28 mark in the first quarter.

Paradise answered back immediately on its ensuing possession, using two chunk plays on passes from quarterback Ayden Olalde to Elijah Jennings and Luke Brown to set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Chase Harmon.

Late in the first, the Panther defense forced a turnover on downs and converted the defense into offense 10 seconds into the second frame on Jennings 28-yard touchdown reception thrown by Olalde.

Paradise tacked on two more scores via Olalde’s arm in the third quarter — a slant to Logan Lampley that he muscled in for a touchdown and a 28-yard floater to a wide open Layne Smith in the end zone.

The Panthers controlled the clock and leaned on the defense the remainder of the night to lock down the win, with safety Camden Walker putting an exclamation on Paradise’s defensive performance on his toe-tap interception in the end zone to eliminate any miracle comeback by Jim Ned.

Paradise will play Peaster in the regional final 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium. In the regular season, the Panthers knocked off the Greyhounds at home 21-15.

Here are our key takeaways from Paradise’s win against Jim Ned:

Key takeaways

More than just a saying

You will never escape a Paradise football game without hearing the team phrase “Tough like Jesus.” The Panthers put that toughness on the field Friday evening.

While the temperature flirted with the 40s, wind gusts whipped through and mist fell during the back half of the game, Paradise didn’t bat an eye.

The defense continued to fly to the ball — highlighted by Wyatt Sanders’ and Walker’s interceptions, as well as a handful of backfield stops for the Panthers’ elite linebackers. And even with the 40 mph wind blowing into his face, Olalde took his downfield shots to put the offense in prime positions to score.

In nasty weather the grittiest team has the edge. Paradise proved that with its win.

A smart game from Olalde

Olalde had every excuse in the book to put up a lackluster performance, but he did the opposite. 

He threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns on a 17-of-28 effort. Olalde also protected the ball with a clean sheet of zero fumbles lost and no interceptions.

He picked his spots with dink and dunk passes, but also knew when to take shots downfield on plays to break the game.

District 4-3AI rematch on the schedule

The 3AI Region I final will be one to remember.

In Peaster’s respective region semifinal, the Greyhounds overpowered Vernon with a 36-3 thumping Friday. When the Panthers met up with Peaster in the regular season, it was an instant classic.

Down 15-13 in the fourth quarter, Paradise defensive lineman Beau Chenevert corralled Peaster quarterback Luke Gray’s fumble and took it to the end zone for a fumble-six. Olalde found Smith on a 2-point conversion after to take a 21-15 lead.

On the Greyhounds’ final drive, Walker picked off Gray on an end zone shot to put the game on ice.

If the regional final is anything like the two teams’ first matchup, the fans should expect an all-timer.

This story will be updated.

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