LV High gets nod to defeat Cimarron

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999 | 11:21 a.m.

Zone finals

Las Vegas (11-0) at Cimarron-Mem. (10-1), 7 p.m.

The matchup most everyone was hoping for has materialized, with the defending state champs taking on the state's only unbeaten squad. In fact, only the Spartans' week nine loss to Western prevented this from being a battle of undefeated teams.

Neither club has been challenged thus far in the playoffs, with Cimarron outscoring its opponents 70-6 and the Wildcats rolling past their two foes by a combined 96-24 score, so this has the potential to be one of the decade's all-time great zone finales.

Ultimately, this game will probably be decided by the Spartans' ability to slow down Vegas' potent offense -- something no one has been able to do this season. The Wildcats' speedy receiver tandem of Harry Mills and Anthony Park presents a challenge for Cimarron's cornerbacks, and Vegas tailback Coy Boykin will more than keep the defense honest. An mid-game injury to starting quarterback Anthony Marini aside (see last year's zone final, when Cheyenne's Lawrence Turner missed most of the contest), it's hard to imagine Cimarron keeping the Wildcats under 28 points.

Of course, if the Spartans' offense can move the ball on the ground and eat up time, that will help their chances of keeping the 'Cats off the board. But Vegas' defense is no slouch either, so that matchup probably also favors the visitors. In other words, everything here points to a Wildcat win. Then again, every time Cimarron has been counted out during the past three seasons, the Spartans have found a way to respond.

Pick: Las Vegas 28, Cimarron-Memorial 13

SEASON: 81-20 (.802).

LAST WEEK: 2-0.