Gators to heap load on Glasper

Steve Cunningham

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 11:55 a.m.

Larry Thomas ain't messin' around -- his star, Jamar Glasper, is going to be a busy man tonight.

Green Valley's breakaway threat saw limited action in the Gators' last two games due to injury. Glasper could do little as Green Valley dropped both contests, killing his team's Sunrise Division title hopes.

Tonight, when Green Valley opens the postseason at Cheyenne, Glasper is going to make up for lost time, says Thomas. He'll start at defensive back and tailback, plus, he'll see time at wide receiver and return punts and kickoffs. Heck, Glasper may even drive the bus and bring the Gatorade on the field, according to the Gators' coach.

"He'll be used in every place we can get him in," Thomas said. "He's virtually at 100 percent and we have to take advantage of him."

Green Valley may needed everything Glasper can give them and a whole lot more. Cheyenne presents a big challenge for the Gators with its cache of talented athletes who can break big plays at any time.

That is what stands out most to Thomas about the Desert Shields.

"They've got great quickness in their backs and skill people," he said. "But we think if we can play good solid defense up front, we can stay close."

That could be a big if. Cheyenne quarterback Lawrence Turner isn't a high-percentage passer but is maturing game by game. Ledal Marshall and Williams O'Neal are dangerous out of the backfield.

Desert Shields' coach George Perry knows his offense is potent, but has watched the defense steal the show of late.

"They've been doing it for us the past couple of weeks," Perry said. "We haven't scored a lot of points but we've played pretty good defense."

Cheyenne rebounded from a humiliating loss to Cimarron-Memorial two weeks ago to take out Western in the season finale. Early in the campaign, the Desert Shields were whipped by Robert Service of Alaska, yet, came back the next week to post an impressive victory over Bonanza.

That resiliency makes Cheyenne dangerous. Perry, however, will not let his team rest on its laurels.

"It was a good win for us," Perry said of the Western game. "We don't let them dwell on it very long. We have to get on with it and do what we have to do. That's why we prepare the same for every game."

Green Valley has suffered from turnovers and lack of execution in its last two games and will have to eliminate those problems to beat Cheyenne. For example, an interception and a fumble cost the Gators 14 points against Valley last week, turning a close game into a rout.

Thomas concedes his team isn't expected to win but thinks if the game plan is executed, it'll be a good contest.

"We have done better this year than I thought we'd do," he said. "I think we're capable of playing with Cheyenne. If we play well, it's a very good matchup for us. Still, we're the underdog going in."