Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 11:54 a.m.
Ken Trujillo must be one heck of a motivational speaker.
It was just about a month ago and his Eldorado football team was careening down the road to Nowhereville. The Sundevils had just absorbed a 47-14 beating at the hands of Green Valley, dropping their record to 2-4, and needless to say, morale wasn't the best.
Trujillo called a team meeting. What was said in that gathering must have been truly inspirational because Eldorado rose from the dead, rebounding to win its final three games, and grabbed the Sunrise Division's fourth playoff spot. Tonight, the Sundevils will try to keep the turnaround going when they travel to Cimarron-Memorial for their postseason opener.
So, Ken ... what did you say to your troops?
"We got our seniors together and said, 'This is it. We're going to go 3-0 in our last three games and see where things fall,"' Trujillo recalled. "They felt they played absolutely horrid against Green Valley. We're playing real good football right now and the kids are so excited.
"The only bad thing is that we have to wait (until tonight) to play."
Whether Eldorado has done an amazing about-face or simply is riding an emotional high will be determined tonight against the Spartans, champs of the Sunset Division. The Sundevils' balanced offense will be running into a Cimarron defense allowing just 8.4 points a contest.
And the defense will have to find some way to slow down the Spartans offensively. Cimarron averages 34 points a game.
Those numbers are impressive, said Trujillo, but the Sundevils won't be in awe.
"We've been telling our kids all week long that we've been in every game," Trujillo said. "Since the Green Valley game, it's been a new season. We're 3-0 since then and counting."
Sophomore Arlie Daniel is the Eldorado quarterback but senior Roger Linn can fill in without the Sundevils losing a beat. Ennis Williams and Keith Young have combined to run for over 1,000 yards and Charles Masco and Anthony Lacayo have 48 receptions between them.
Cimarron coach Greg Spencer gives the Eldorado offense its props.
"It looks like they can move the ball," Spencer said. "They have pretty good team speed and several offensive weapons."
The Spartans aren't concerning themselves with the resurgence of Eldorado because they have plans of their own. Cimarron has been bounced from the playoffs in the first round in each of the past two seasons and a loss tonight throws this wonderful regular season in the dumpster with the previous two.
"Anytime you finish 8-1, you have to be happy," Spencer said. "But that part of the season is finished. We've been in the playoffs and not done much. We'd like to get past that first one."
Cimarron was unimpressive in its season finale against winless Hug at Carson City. The Spartans needed a late field goal to escape with a 12-10 victory and Spencer thinks his team was affected by the long trip.
Home has been sweet for Cimarron, though, where the Spartans have outscored foes by an average of 41-8. Toby Smeltzer can run and pass and running back Arnold Parker is coming off a big regular season.
The stats say the Spartans are an overwhelming favorite, but don't try telling that to Trujillo and the Sundevils.
"Cimarron is supposed to be this big awesome team and they are very good," Trujillo said. "But we feel like if we execute our game plan and stay focused, we can be competitive."
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