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Parma tailback Tyler Ford runs in for a touchdown during the first half of the Panthers’ 2A state playoff game against Nampa Christian on Saturday at Parma High.
Charlie Litchfield/IPT
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Defending champs return to semis

PARMA — For the Nampa Christian football team, a tough start just didn't get any easier.

For Parma there was no stopping the offense's momentum.

The defending 2A state champion Panthers defeated their 2A Western Idaho Conference rivals 33-0 in the quarterfinals of the state tournament on Saturday.

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Parma advances to Friday's 2A state semifinals against Glenns Ferry.

The game will be at 8:45 p.m. at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

After having a first-round bye last week, the Parma offense showed no sign of rust, picking up 525 total yards in the game, 360 of which came in the first half.

"We wanted to come out and play physical on both sides of the ball, and I thought we did that," Parma coach Greg Asbury. "That was just a result of two hard weeks on the (dummy) sled."

Quarterback Trevor Kramer had 245 yards on 11-of-25 passing. His top target, Devin Erickson had 179 of those receiving yards, including touchdown catches of 84, 38 and 16 yards.

"Today our line really handled their line," Kramer said. "I had a lot of time to throw, so I could sit back and make the reads I needed to. Devin just ran good routes and got open."

Parma (9-0) took a 6-0 lead on the opening drive of the game, but the troubles for Nampa Christian (5-4) were just starting. On the Trojans' second play from scrimmage, quarterback Devin Asselin was injured.

He left the game favoring his left leg and never returned.

The injury knocked the Trojans out of their game plan.

"The first play from scrimmage we had three guys open on vertical routes," Haverfield said. "If there's an Achilles' heel for Parma, it's their pass coverage. We had devised a whole play system with that all week."

Sophomore Jacob Campbell, the Trojans' junior varsity quarterback all season, had a promising start. On his first pass attempt, Campbell connected with Darryl Van Grouw for a 20-yard gain.

Overall, Campbell completed 11-of-24 passes for 119 yards, no TDs and one interception.

"He can throw the ball better than Devin can, but he doesn't have the time in the system yet," Haverfield said about Campbell, who could be the Trojans' starter next season.

Meanwhile, Parma built up a 26-0 halftime lead and were easily on their way to a semifinals matchup with Glenns Ferry. The Pilots (8-2) advanced to the semifinals on Saturday by beating North Fremont 36-20.

If the Panthers win, they will return to the state championship game and attempt to defend their title against New Plymouth or Declo.

"We're just going to go and take one game at a time," Kramer said. "We're going to prepare like it's the state game every week."

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