Athlete of the Week

When Palo Verde needed a big play against rival Legacy High School, Beau Gardineer was there to make it.

Following Palo Verde’s big matchup against Desert Oasis High School, Gardineer has been named this week’s Franchise Sports Media Athlete of the Week after helping lead the Panthers to a hard-fought victory and their first 3-0 start since 2019

Gardineer made his presence felt throughout this run, and no game more so than last week’s contest vs Legacy. Beau recorded five receptions and two touchdowns on offense while adding two key blocks. On defense, he finished with a total of ten tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception that helped seal the win. He also contributed on special teams with three punt returns.

For Gardineer, the significance of this victory went beyond the stat sheet.

“That win meant a lot to the team; we knew it was going to be a dogfight, and we talked about it all week,” Gardineer said. “Our coaches had us prepared perfectly for that game, and I’m glad we could execute.”

The Legacy rivalry is one Gardineer has become familiar with throughout his high school career. Having played Legacy every year, he said the matchup was one he had been looking forward to all season. “This was a game I was super excited for,” Gardineer said. “I have played Legacy every year of my high school career, so I always look forward to this rivalry. I was ready to have fun and play for my brothers next to me.”

That mindset translated into big plays on both sides of the ball. Gardineer credited Palo Verde’s offensive system and the number of playmakers around him for allowing the Panthers to find success in multiple ways.

“Coach Smith has put in a great offense for us, and we have a number of guys that can execute our offense,” Gardineer said. “We have guys in every position that can make plays, so it makes it easy to spread the ball around and score in all types of ways.”

Defensively, Gardineer came through when Palo Verde needed him most.

His interception late in the game helped secure the victory, but Gardineer was quick to give credit to his teammates. He said defensive backs coach Wilmore has helped elevate the secondary, while teammate James Eliason made the initial play by tipping the ball into the air. “James Eliason was the one who really made the play to tip it up, and I was lucky enough to jump under it and catch it,” Gardineer said.

Another defining moment came on a late two-point conversion attempt. In a crucial late-game moment, Gardineer helped Palo Verde stop Legacy at the goal line. “That play was one of my favorites in my high school career,” Gardineer said. “I just remember learning from our LB coach, Coach Mack, to read the guards and make a play.”

For Gardineer, that play represented more than an individual accomplishment. He said the goal-line stop was a complete team effort, with Palo Verde’s defensive line creating the opportunity for the play to happen.

“Our defense prides ourselves on making big plays in big moments, and we did there,” he said.

That team-first mentality has been at the center of Gardineer’s approach early this season.

“I’m just so blessed to have so much trust from my coaches,” Gardineer said. “They have really coached all of us well, and my teammates are willing to help me make a play.”

Being selected as Franchise Sports Media’s inaugural Player of the Week is another recognition of his work. “It means a lot to me,” Gardineer said. “I am so blessed to have such a great coaching staff that puts me in the best position to succeed in the big moments.”

Now, Gardineer and the Panthers are looking toward an even bigger goal. “Our #1 goal is to go 10-0 and keep changing the culture around Palo Verde football,” he said.

If Gardineer’s performance in the first 3 games of the 2026 season is any indication, Palo Verde has a player willing to make an impact wherever his team needs him and a brotherhood determined to keep building on the momentum.

Franchise Sports Media. Las Vegas sports news about Las Vegas Sports teams.

— Keira Reece Orton (@sportswithkeira) for Franchise Sports Media

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