Patterson’s picks — 4A state championship

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 | 10:44 a.m.

gistory

4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

ELKO (10-2) vs. CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (9-3)

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium,

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Picked by many to represent Las Vegas in this game long before the season began, the Spartans have lived up to those expectations thanks, to some inspired play in the postseason.

Cimarron is truly peaking at the right time, particularly on the defensive side of the football. The Spartans have allowed just 34 combined points in three playoff games against Green Valley, Bishop Gorman and Cheyenne, and seem truly dedicated to stopping the opposition's running attack at all costs. That will be key in this one, with Elko's Wing-T offense heavily geared toward keeping the ball on the ground.

The Indians can score points in a hurry (see the team's 51-12 pasting of Wooster in the northern zone semifinals), but the northern champs can also give up points with the best of them (as evidenced by offense-deficient Reed's 21-point output last week).

Getting the game's first lead gave the Spartans a big lift against Cheyenne last Friday, and it could be a big factor again here. If Cimarron finds itself down by double digits, coach Greg Spencer will likely have to abandon his run-first philosophy. That would put the pressure squarely on quarterback Andrew Mason's shoulders, and he has yet to prove he can make critical plays late in big games.

To win, the Spartans need to continue pounding the ball up the middle, with fullback Leonard DeRoche leading the way. The game will likely be decided by the two teams' strengths: the Cimarron defense vs. the Elko offense.

The Spartans will probably score their usual 20-to-28 points. It's just a question of whether they can keep the Indians from getting into the 30s. Cimarron 24, Elko 21

Season -- 71-26 (.732); Last week: 0-1.