Cheyenne gets nod to get back on winning track this weekend

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 10:24 a.m.

Palo Verde (0-1, 0-1) at Cheyenne (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.

A game between two teams looking to avoid 0-2 starts to the season, with the Panthers losing to Gorman and the Desert Shields falling to Eldorado last week. Desperation will be on Palo Verde's side, because a second conference loss would be extra costly, particularly with Western and Cimarron looming the next two weeks. But Cheyenne is just too talented to lose again so soon, especially on home turf.

Pick - Cheyenne 31, Palo Verde 17

Bonanza (0-1, 0-1) at Durango (1-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.

The Trailblazers pulled off an upset last week, knocking off highly touted Western on the road. Now, they'll try to avoid a letdown against a Bengals squad that hasn't won since 1997. Durango quarterback Jamaal Brimmer was brilliant in his club's victory last week, and it probably won't take that same type of effort for him to take his squad to 2-0 here.

Pick - Durango 26, Bonanza 12

Western (0-1, 0-1) at Mojave (0-1, 0-1), 7 p.m.

Week one was a major disappointment for both squads, as the Warriors fell at home to Durango and the Rattlers were blown out 29-0 at Cimarron. Each will try to right its ship here, with the loser falling in a deep hole in the fight for playoff positioning. Turnovers were Mojave's undoing last week, while Western's normally potent ground attack never got going. Odds are, the Warriors will solve their problems a little sooner than their opponents, who are still adjusting to life in the Sunset.

Pick - Western 27, Mojave 10

Bishop Gorman (1-0, 1-0) at Clark (1-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.

The winner here will get a big jump on the rest of the division, with two league victories out of the way in just two weeks. The Gaels struggled to put away Palo Verde until late, but came up big defensively when it counted most. Clark got in the win column with a victory over Bonanza, so it's tough to tell exactly what the Chargers are all about this season. Expect a tight ballgame, with the team that scores last coming out on top.

Pick - Gorman 31, Clark 28

Foothill (0-1, 0-0) at Silverado (1-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.

Fresh off a key division win over Rancho, the Skyhawks get a confidence booster against the first-year Falcons. Assuming Silverado doesn't completely overlook its opponent, this one shouldn't be close, and the stingy Skyhawk defense will probably make Foothill wait until week three to notch its first-ever points.

Pick - Silverado 33, Foothill 0

Desert Pines (0-1, 0-0) at Valley (1-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.

Coming off a shutout win over Centennial, Valley gets another first-year opponent this week -- this time against a club that suffered a crushing 67-0 defeat at the hands of Las Vegas last Friday. This one shouldn't be quite that lopsided, although the Jaguars could go scoreless for the second straight week. As for the Vikings, they won't get a true test until next week's Green Valley matchup.

Pick - Valley 36, Desert Pines 0

Basic (1-0, 0-0) at Boulder City (0-0), 7 p.m.

The Wolves take on 3A opponent Boulder City after opening with a victory over Henderson newcomer Foothill last week. Last year, a weaker Basic squad beat a stronger Eagles bunch by 16, and there's not much reason to expect this one to be any closer.

Pick - Basic 32, Boulder City 6

Delta (Utah) at Las Vegas (1-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.

The tried and true ruled says take the out-of-towners, but the Wildcats could be the team to buck that trend this week. Last season, Delta posted an ugly 10-7 win at home over Vegas, and the 'Cats appear to be improved this season. It's unlikely they'll get anywhere close to last week's 67-point total, however.

Pick - Las Vegas 27, Delta 10

Meadows (0-0) at Centennial (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.

One of the week's most intriguing matchups, between the defending 2A champs and one of the era's three 4A newcomers. The Mustangs lost talented tailbacks Victor Wright and Jeff Raskin, but a solid nucleus remains intact, giving them a legitimate shot to take down the senior-less Falcons. Still, a 1,200-student difference is sizable, and Centennial will be the first new school to post a win.

Pick - Centennial 24, Meadows 21

Valhalla at Cimarron-Memorial (1-0, 1-0)

Apparently, rumors of the Spartans' demise were greatly exaggerated, with the defending state champs pasting division foe Mojave, 29-0, last week. Cimarron may not have the talent of its 1998 team, but its effort and experience can't be overlooked. Nevertheless, a California school is never a pushover. Just ask the Spartans, who lost to their only out-of-town opponent last year.

Pick - Valhalla 29, Cimarron 20

Skyline (Calif.) at Rancho (0-1, 0-1)

After an unimpressive opener against Silverado, the Rams will try to right their ship against another tough team from the Gold State. California makes it 3-0 against the locals.

Pick - Skyline 42, Rancho 16

St. John Bosco (Calif.) at Eldorado (1-0, 0-0)

The Sundevils are riding high after last week's shocker against Cheyenne, but will more than likely be brought down to earth by one of California's proudest programs. This one should be over by halftime.

Pick - St. John Bosco 49, Eldorado 7

Chaparral (0-1, 0-0) at Wooster (1-0, 0-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.

A rare north-south matchup between teams with disappointing week one results. Chaparral had Utah's Copper Hill on the ropes, only to fall late. The Colts, meanwhile, posted an uninspired 13-0 victory over Galena -- hardly the way to establish yourself as one of the state's top clubs. This one should be closely contested, particularly in the trenches, where two of Nevada's biggest lines will bump chests. Speedy Cowboys receiver Mario Hagan could be a difference maker, but so could the long drive to Reno -- where home field really is an advantage.

Pick - Wooster 16, Chaparral 12

* Last week's record: 8-3 (.727)

* Season-to-date: 8-3 (.727)