Cimarron, Durango ready to tangle

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Sept. 24, 1999 | 9:52 a.m.

One ended the 1998 prep football season with tears in their eyes, the other with the state championship trophy lofted above their heads.

But when Durango hosts Cimarron-Memorial tonight at 7 p.m., last year will be but a distant memory for a pair of teams bringing identical 4-0 records into the game.

For the Trailblazers, the 1998 campaign ended in horrific fashion -- a double-overtime loss to Bishop Gorman in the regular-season finale that cost the team a spot in the zone playoffs.

The Spartans, on the other hand, couldn't have asked for a better finish, as the school captured its first 4A state title with a 24-0 rout of northern opponent Elko.

Tonight, Cimarron and Durango each will try to take the next step toward representing Las Vegas in this year's championship game, with the winner taking over sole possession in the Sunset Division.

"I'm expecting a great game," Durango coach John Mausbach said. "They're a great, well-rounded team. I think it will be a real physical, hard-hitting game, and turnovers and field position will be the key."

Overlooked in most preseason polls, the Blazers got off to a great start with a key 16-15 road win over Western in week one. Since then, the team has not slowed down, posting easy victories over Bonanza, Mojave and nonconference foe Desert Pines.

Quarterback Jamaal Brimmer has been among the area's best thus far, racking up more than 650 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Nevertheless, Cimarron coach Greg Spencer said his club won't deviate from its usual defensive approach.

"He's a good athlete, and he's a part of the game we have to deal with, but we don't change anything for anyone," Spencer said.

So far, that strategy has paid off for the Spartans' defensive unit, which has limited the club's four opponents to just 28 combined points in four games. Still, Spencer said it's far too early to begin planning for a return trip to the playoffs.

"I still think we're inexperienced," said Spencer, who lost most of the starters from last year's squad to graduation. "I just think it's a little too early to tell much."

Another key game in the Sunset Division will pit Bishop Gorman against visiting Cheyenne at Valley High School. Undefeated in the conference a week ago, both teams are coming off losses and looking to stay one defeat behind the winner of the Cimarron-Durango contest.

Also on tap in the Sunset, Bonanza will host Palo Verde, Western will travel to Clark and Mojave will entertain Canadian opponent Carson-Graham in a nonleague game.

Over in the Sunrise Division, Silverado will look to improve its season record to 5-0 when it hosts Valley, while Las Vegas High will try to do likewise on the road at Basic. Also, Chaparral plays at Eldorado and Rancho travels to Green Valley.

Rounding out tonight's action, The Meadows will try to go 4-0 at Foothill, Centennial will try for its first-ever win at Virgin Valley and Desert Pines will try to break into the victory column at home against Moapa Valley.