Spartans head back to state title game

Ray Brewer

Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998 | 11:01 a.m.

The Cimarron-Memorial football team proved Cheyenne wasn't invincible. For the Spartans, it could not have come at a better time. Behind a stingy second half defense and a well balanced offense, Cimarron upset the previously unbeaten Desert Shields 27-17 on Friday at Cheyenne in the 4A Southern Zone championship game.

With the win, the Spartans repeat as zone champions and earn another crack at the state title.

"We are going back to the state championship game," Cimarron coach Greg Spencer said. "That's the one game everyone wants to play in, for a championship. In all athletics."

Assisting the Spartans was an injury to Cheyenne quarterback Lawrence Turner's right knee, forcing the two-way stand out to miss almost the entire game.

"Obviously the big key that slowed them losing the quarterback, that put them out of game," Spencer said.

Turner's injury especially hurt Cheyenne in the fourth quarter when they attempted to rally back from a 10 point deficit.

Second string quarterback Christopher Hall, a junior, only completed 2-of-11 passes in the fourth quarter for just six yards.

After the Spartan defense got done rattling the inexperienced Hall, Darian Hall took over on offense.

Replacing Cimarron's No. 1 back Arnold Parker (muscles spasms), Hall finished with 74 yards rushing on 11 carries. More importantly, his clutch rushes in the fourth quarter keep the clock ticking and the chains moving.

"We change it up a lot," Hall said on capitalizing on his opportunity to play. "Anyone of us can step in and do the job....We got lucky when they made a couple of mistakes and just keep it going."

Spencer was impressed with Hall's performance. "I guess Hall has been a backup to 17 (Parker) all season," Spencer said. "We needed him to jump in there. He is a different type of runner."

Cimarron wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as Kyler Rushton returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.

Cheyenne and Turner would bounce right back.

With 9:49 to play in the first quarter, Turner executed a perfect fake punt and rushed 75 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at seven.

Turner had one more special play before injuring his knee while dropping back to pass.

On Cimarron's ensuing possession, Turner intercepted an Andrew Mason pass and returned it to the Spartan 10 yard line. Shiloh Hart booted a 28-yard field goal as the Desert Shields took advan= tage of the interception to build their lead to 10-7 with 7:26 left in the first quarter."

Cimarron took to the passing game to go back ahead.

With 4:23 left in the first, Mason found Taylor Miller for a 16-yard touchdown reception to put the Spartans up for good 14-10.

Jacob Smeltzer drilled field goals of 31 and 29 yards to put the Spartan's up 20-10 at halftime.

Mason capped an eight play, 80 yard drive with a two yard quarterback keeper to put Cimarron up 27-10 with 6:26 left in the third.

But, on the ensuing kickoff, Cheyenne's Ja'wan Dodson went untouched 93-yards for a touchdown to cut the Desert Shields' deficit back to 10, 27-17. Cheyenne was unable to put together anymore serious threats.

Now, the Spartans are looking forward to their next challenge: battling for a state title. The 4A NIAA/US Bank Nevada State Championship game is set for next Friday at Sam Boyd Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

The Spartans already have experience in the title game. However, there will be no comparing of last season's team that lost to McQueen in the title game and this year's team.

"The one thing I didn't do is try to compare," Spencer said. "In August we came out and started over....I haven't looked at the film from last year."