Surprising Silverado meets Vegas

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Oct. 1, 1999 | 9:39 a.m.

This week's games

All games 7 p.m.

Clark at Palo Verde

Bishop Gorman at Mojave

Bonanza at Cimarron

Durango at Cheyenne

Basic at Valley

Eldorado at Rancho

Silverado at Las Vegas

Green Valley at Chaparral

Centennial at Foothill

Boulder City at Dayton

Windsor at Meadows

Don't let their 5-0 records fool you -- when Las Vegas hosts Silverado tonight in week six prep football action, the game will be a true David and Goliath matchup.

Although both clubs have started the season with three Sunrise Division victories and a pair of nonconference wins, the Skyhawks know they'll have an uphill battle on their hands when they take on the No. 1-ranked Wildcats at 7 p.m.

"Las Vegas High School is a real well-coached football team with a lot of talent," Silverado coach Jon DeNardin said.

"And we've been underdogs in almost every game we've played this year."

Considering Silverado has not made the playoffs since the school opened in 1994, few expected the Skyhawks to be tied for the division lead with four weeks remaining in the regular season.

But a stingy defense that has allowed just eight points per game and a methodical offense that has averaged 40 points have combined to keep the Henderson-area school in the thick of the division race and earn a No. 8 ranking in this week's Sun statewide poll.

"They do a solid job running the football, and stopping the run," Las Vegas coach Kris Cinkovich said. "It doesn't surprise me that they've done well. Everything has just come together fast for them."

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have been everything they were expected to be and more, outscoring their five opponents by a whopping 240-69 margin and scoring more than 40 points four times.

"Their passing game is very crisp; they're very sharp with it," DeNardin said. "Plus, (running back Coy) Boykin does a great job in the backfield behind that offensive line, so they have a lot of weapons."

Leading the charge for Las Vegas has been senior quarterback Anthony Marini, who has completed 59 of 95 passes for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns despite coming out of many games in the third quarter due to his club's huge victory margins.

"It's the first time we've had a returning starter at quarterback, and he knows his receivers and the system very well," Cinkovich said. "He did a lot last year and worked hard over the summer to get better."

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats will look to shut down Silverado's traditional wing-T offense, specifically tailback Joe Jackson, who has rushed for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 57 carries.

Cinkovich said his defensive unit needs to stay disciplined against a Skyhawk system that stresses misdirection and multiple play fakes.

"You've got to be real loyal to your keys and reads, but we don't want to handcuff our players either," Cinkovich said.

"Hopefully, we're going to be disciplined."

Also on tap in the Sunrise Division: Playoff hopefuls Basic and Valley square off at Valley, Rancho entertains Eldorado and Green Valley travels to Chaparral.

Another key game on tonight's schedule has Cheyenne hosting Durango in a contest with serious Sunset Division playoff implications. A year after going undefeated in the regular season, the Desert Shields have dropped back-to-back conference games and will try to avoid a third league loss tonight.

Also in the Sunset: Undefeated Cimarron-Memorial hosts Bonanza, Clark plays at Palo Verde and Bishop Gorman travels to Mojave.

In nonconference play, Foothill will entertain Centennial in a battle of first-year programs looking for their first-ever victories. Also, 3A Boulder City will play at Dayton while 2A Meadows hosts Canadian school Windsor.