This Week’s Match ups

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

SILVERADO (1-1) at CHEYENNE (1-1), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: Both teams look to rebound from disappointing efforts a week ago. Cheyenne was thumped 38-6 by Mountain View of Orem, Utah. It was the first regular-season loss for the Desert Shields in two years. Silverado, meanwhile, was blanked at home by Highland of Palmdale, Calif. Despite the setback, Cheyenne remains one of the Sunset Division's elite teams, and the sting of the loss should have the Desert Shields primed -- particularly at home. For the Skyhawks to pull off the upset, they must be able to control the football via the running game (tailback Roderick Gibson was held to just 23 yards last week) and not allow much through the air (they gave up 179 yards passing to Highland).

* The pick: Cheyenne 28, Silverado 13.

CHAPARRAL (2-0) at RANCHO (0-2), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: Chaparral hasn't necessarily been flashy, but the Cowboys certainly have been effective. Workmanlike performances at running back (E.J. Henderson's 165 yards over two games) and quarterback (Steve Puterski's 9-for-19 passing each game for 114 and 91 yards) have produced a pair of wins, while defensively the Cowboys have been similarly solid. Rancho has had problems holding onto the football, having committed 13 turnovers in two games. The young Rams are undergoing a growth process and should continue to mature as the season progresses. However, Chaparral should be a little too tough this week.

* The pick: Chaparral 20, Rancho 12.

CIMARRON (2-0) at GORMAN (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

* The matchup: At Sam Boyd Stadium, Cimarron-Memorial looks to continue its winning ways against a Bishop Gorman team that stands 1-1 after winning at home against Eldorado last week. The Spartans have a premier running back in Vernon Fox, who overpowered Madison High of San Diego last time out for 153 yards and the game's only touchdown in a 7-0 win. With a runner like Fox, sometimes a team's defense gets overlooked, and Cimarron has a solid one. The Spartans allowed Madison just 158 yards, never letting the Warhawks inside the Cimarron 30-yard line. For Gorman, John Juadines has posted consecutive 100-yard rushing outings, and is almost single-handedly carrying the Gaels offensively. Gorman must find more than one weapon to beat the Spartans.

* The pick: Cimarron 17, Bishop Gorman 13.

CLARK (0-2) at BONANZA (0-2), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: This game will produce the turning point in the season for one team, while possibly sending the other into a further tailspin. Bonanza turned in a very credible effort in losing 21-14 to Las Vegas last week but relied on two big plays to provide most of its offense. The Bengals believe they have found a leader in QB Jason Krebs, who sparked them in the second half against Vegas. For Clark, the key to improvement lies in eliminating crucial turnovers, as the Chargers lost a 13-6 lead and the game to Chaparral last week after fumbling two kickoff returns. Todd Cutler of Clark and Nick Butera of Bonanza are each seeking their first head coaching victories, but Butera appears to have the edge in this one.

* The pick: Bonanza 21, Clark 10.

BASIC (0-2) at VALLEY (2-0), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: Are the Vikings for real? Coach Greg Murphy and his Valley players certainly think so. Valley, winless a year ago, has opened with a pair of victories -- including a 23-8 dismantling of Little Rock, Calif., last week. LaRontae Johnson continues to provide the spark for Valley, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns last Friday after going for 115 and a score the week before against Bishop Gorman. Basic gave up 462 yards rushing -- 490 total yards -- at Durango last time out, a fact that probably has Johnson licking his chops. The Wolves' only win a year ago came against Valley, but this time the two teams appear to be going in opposite directions.

* The pick: Valley 27, Basic 16.

WESTERN (2-0) at DURANGO (1-1), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: Durango rebounded quite nicely from a week of player suspensions with a resounding 35-14 rout of Basic. Sophomore running back Alex Dixon became the first player in school history to gain more than 300 yards rushing in a game, piling up a whopping 342 against the Wolves. The going gets rougher this week against an unbeaten Western squad that proved its road mettle with an overtime triumph at Las Vegas in week one. The Warriors have a three-pronged rushing attack in Anthony Jones, De'Angelo Floyd and Tyrell Webb, a combination that allows Western to play ball control football and limit the opposition's scoring chances.

* The pick: Western 21, Durango 20.

GREEN VALLEY (2-0) at LAS VEGAS (1-1), 7 p.m.

* The matchup: The Wildcats look to jump up to the next level and get a leg up in the Sunrise race with a win in this home battle. If Las Vegas is to accomplish this task, the 'Cats must find a way to better their percentage of scoring in the red zone. Las Vegas had the football three times inside the Bonanza 5-yard line in the first half last week, but came away with only a 7-0 halftime lead. The Wildcats eventually won the game. Green Valley is primed after knocking off California toughie Long Beach Poly, and would like to make a statement against the team picked by the coaches to be its chief division rival. If the Gators defense continues its early season play, it'll make for tough times for Vegas.

* The pick: Green Valley 26, Las Vegas 23.

Last week's record: 4-6; Season record: 9-9.