Desert Pines running back Greg Burrell (5) carries the ball against Liberty during the first half of a football game at Liberty High School Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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The first week of high school football games features something that was painfully missing last season: Expected close games.
The annual picks column posted a 169-24 record in 2022, a product of lopsided contests in all classifications dominating the weekly slate.
Realignment might fix the problem once we hit league play in September. Let’s hope this week, when schools get to pick who they play in nonleague games, is a preview of things to come.
Here’s wishing everyone a safe season.
Virgin Valley at Canyon Springs
We’ll start with one of our favorite theories: Pick the team with the best player. That’s wide receiver Chase Otteson (500 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022) of Virgin Valley. Virgin Valley 22, Canyon Springs 16
Liberty at St. John Bosco (Calif.)
Liberty has had plenty of success over the years winning on the road against a powerhouse when it wasn’t expected to. Remember Kenyon Oblad lighting up Westlake of Texas in 2016? This, however, won’t be one of those weeks. Bosco 41, Liberty 14
Sierra Vista at Coronado
Tarrance “Church” Masnica is the real deal for Sierra Vista at quarterback, but the Lions fade late in losing a close game to Coronado. Coronado 24, Sierra Vista 23
Legacy at Shadow Ridge
Don’t sleep on Shadow Ridge — this is a top-5 team in Nevada. Shadow Ridge 39, Legacy 11
Cajon (Calif.) at Arbor View
Arbor View faces a big-time challenge out of the gate against Cajon, a top-40 team in the Los Angeles area whose quarterback last season passed for 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cajon 30, Arbor View 25
Bishop Manogue at Las Vegas
Bishop Manogue is the favorite to win the state championship in the second tier of the Class 5A. Las Vegas is one of the schools standing in the way. Bishop Manogue 27, Las Vegas 16
Slam at Basic
I’ll take the athleticism of Slam’s skilled position players over an emerging Basic roster. Slam 29, Basic 18
Mojave at Sunrise Mountain
Another close game! Sunrise Mountain 13, Mojave 12
Bonanza at Eldorado
Someone needs to implement a requirement that there has to be at least one weekly game of original Las Vegas high schools. Bring me back to the days of Gerald Riggs running the rock for the Bonanza Bengals, and those epic brown and yellow uniforms. Eldorado 22, Bonanza 6
Moapa Valley at Hurricane (Utah)
Moapa Valley is breaking in players at many spots, but Hurricane also appears to be young. And Hurricane was defeated 35-0 last week. Moapa Valley 20, Hurricane 18.
Bishop Gorman at Corner Canyon (Utah)
This won’t be the week Gorman is challenged against a national opponent. Bishop Gorman 42, Corner Canyon 10
Del Sol at Cheyenne
Anyone have a coin? Del Sol 15, Cheyenne 12
Desert Oasis at Chaparral
Here’s hoping this pick is wrong. I hate picking against my Cowboys. Desert Oasis 32, Chaparral 12.
Cimarron-Memorial at Silverado
Silverado hasn’t lost since 2019. That streak will eventually come to an end — just not this week. Silverado 30, Cimarron-Memorial 15
Durango at Western
This, unfortunately, will be the one lopsided game of the week. Durango 44, Western 0
Clark at Rancho
Another game featuring original Las Vegas teams. Take me to a time when Larry Barnson was on the sidelines for the Clark Chargers facing off against the 1988 state champion Rancho Rams. Clark 38, Rancho 9.
Desert Pines at Spring Valley
Mark my words: Desert Pines will not be an easy out in the playoffs, especially with senior running back Greg Burrell being featured in the offense. Desert Pines 43, Spring Valley 11.
Palo Verde at Faith Lutheran
Faith Lutheran has an edge with Cale Breslin running the ball. He goes off in a sign of things to come. The Crusaders will be state champion contenders in the second tier of the Class 5A. Faith Lutheran 33, Palo Verde 22
Foothill at Clovis East (Calif.)
Foothill has gone above and beyond to schedule out-of-state opponents over the past two years. This should be a fun night of football in Henderson. Clovis 38, Foothill 20
Somerset Losee at Pahrump Valley
Traveling to Pahrump for the first time won’t be easy for Somerset Losee. Pahrump 19, Somerset Losee 7
Herriman (Utah) at Green Valley
Green Valley will have its hands full with Herriman, a Class 6A team in Utah with one game (and win) under its belt. Herriman 46, Green Valley 13
Valley at Mater East
This is an evenly matched game between teams attempting to build their programs. Here’s hoping both have flashes of great play. Valley 12, Mater East 8
