Unbeaten Las Vegas should prevail in shootout with Silverado

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 | 10:15 a.m.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Silverado (5-0, 3-0) at Las Vegas (5-0, 3-0), 7 p.m.

The game of the year in the Sunrise, with two unbeatens squaring off. Vegas has been playing like a team possessed, while the 'Hawks have been the season's biggest surprise. As good as Silverado's defense has been, it's hard to imagine it grounding Vegas QB Anthony Marini and his weekly air show. And while the Skyhawk offense has been spectacular at times, the veteran 'Cats defense has been relentless.

Pick - Las Vegas 38, Silverado 24

Durango (4-1, 3-1) at Cheyenne (2-3, 2-2), 7 p.m.

Fresh off their first loss of the season, the Blazers go up against a desperate Shields squad reeling from back-to-back losses. With two division losses and a game with undefeated Cimarron still ahead, this one is all but a must-win for Cheyenne. If Durango can avoid the types of costly turnovers it committed last week, expect the confident Blazers to win a close one.

Pick - Durango 28, Cheyenne 27

Bonanza (2-3, 2-3) at Cim.-Memorial (5-0, 4-0), 7 p.m.

The Spartans took control of the Sunset with last week's win over Durango, while the Bengals' surge back to respectability continued with their second straight victory.

Pick - Cimarron 34, Bonanza 13

Bishop Gorman (3-2, 3-1) at Mojave (2-3, 1-3), 7 p.m.

The Gaels certainly seem to thrive on adversity. After surviving a near-defection by several players last week, Gorman posted a key win over Cheyenne to move into the driver's seat for one of the division's playoff berths. Still, this team lost to Bonanza just one week earlier, so anything is possible.

Pick - Gorman 28, Mojave 15

Clark (2-3, 2-3) at Palo Verde (1-4, 1-4), 7 p.m.

The Chargers re-entered the playoff picture with a huge win over Western last week, while the Panthers all but fell out of contention with a loss to Bonanza. Momentum (and red-hot Clark QB Charles Henderson) dictates the pick.

Pick - Clark 20, Palo Verde 14

Basic (3-2, 1-2) at Valley (3-2, 1-2), 7 p.m.

A game with key Sunrise playoff implications, with the winner getting a leg up in the battle for the fourth slot.

Pick - Valley 24, Basic 21

Green Valley (0-4, 0-3) at Chaparral (1-4, 1-2), 7 p.m.

Somewhere in California, Larry Thomas is smiling. One year after the longtime Gator coach was run out of town by parents, his former club is floundering, hitting rock bottom in a home loss to Rancho last week.

Pick - Chaparral 33, Green Valley 12

Eldorado (3-2, 2-1) at Rancho (2-3, 1-2), 7 p.m.

Since losing to Las Vegas by 47 three weeks ago, the Sundevils have established themselves as a playoff favorite in the Sunrise with back-to-back wins.

Pick - Eldorado 32, Rancho 14

Centennial (0-5) at Foothill (0-5), 7 p.m.

After a combined 0-15 start, one of the area's three first-year teams is guaranteed a win this week.

Pick - Foothill 16, Centennial 15

Season: 44-13 (.772) Last week: 8-4.