After slow start, Cheyenne kicks offense in high gear

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998 | 10:30 a.m.

After watching his undefeated Sunset Division champion Cheyenne Desert Shields struggle through a scoreless first quarter on their home field with a 3-6 Valley Vikings squad Monday night, coach George Perry decided to give his squad a good tongue-lashing.

"Nobody showed up in the first quarter, so coach (Perry) really got on us when we came to the sidelines," Desert Shields quarterback Lawrence Turner said. "I think that finally got us going."

Boy, did it.

Over the next 24 minutes, Cheyenne exploded for 54 points and cruised to an easy 54-21 victory.

The Desert Shields improved their record to 10-0 and advanced to Saturday night's zone semifinals where they will host Western, a 26-20 winner over Chaparral, at 5 p.m. The Desert Shields defeated Western earlier this season, 44-18.

"This year we've been a slow-starting team," Perry said. "I don't know why. But then someone like Lawrence makes a big run and everybody finally gets fired up."

Turner, a 6-2, 180-pound senior, simply had a spectacular night, rushing for a game-high 140-yards on 10 carries and one touchdown while also completing five of 11 passes for 79 yards and three more touchdowns, all in the second quarter.

"He's just a great team leader and a great kid," Perry said.

"Three touchdown passes, that's good for here at Cheyenne," Turner said. "We really don't throw the ball that much. But tonight we had it clicking."

Turner said he's being recruited by Colorado State, Nevada-Reno and Southern Utah. But after exhibiting a dazzling array of moves to go along with explosive speed Monday night, it wouldn't be surprising to see Pac-10 and Big-12 schools making their way to Cheyenne in the near future. Turner would seem to have all the tools to be a big-time Division I wide receiver or free safety prospect.

It was hardly a one-man show for the Desert Shields, however. With Valley going all-out to contain Cheyenne tailback Deon Ned (19 carries, 67 yards), fullback Ja'wan Dodson came up big, running for 137 yards on just 11 carries and one touchdown.

And Cheyenne's defense, led by defensive back Eddie Shelby (76-yard interception return for a touchdown) and junior defensive end Lynn McGruder, held Valley to just one touchdown over the first three quarters before Perry began substituting.

"They stacked up their defense on Deon," Turner said. "But that was good for the rest of us. We've got a lot of weapons here."

So despite the slow start, the Desert Shields served notice that they're still the team to beat in the southern zone this year.

"You've got to get through Cheyenne to get to the Silver Bowl (site of the state championship game)," Perry said matter-of-factly.