Southwest Division packed with power

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000 | 9:47 a.m.

They may not have to contend with two-time state champion Cimarron-Memorial during the league season anymore, but you won't find the five teams in the Southwest Division celebrating anytime soon.

Home to 1999 playoff qualifiers Western, Durango and Bishop Gorman, along with a Clark squad that missed the postseason on a tiebreaker, the Southwest looks like the state's most loaded conference as the 2000 season kicks off.

The Warriors, perennial postseason contenders, return just five starters from last season's team, but should be in the hunt again thanks to a core of quick and athletic players.

The Trailblazers took their place among Sunset powers in 1999 behind two-way star Jamaal Brimmer. Now, they'll look to replace the quarterback/safety while remaining near the top.

And the Gaels will try to avoid the injury bug that plagued them last season, hoping the duo of Dyante Perkins and Jason Rogers can carry them into the playoffs for the third straight year.

Clark could figure into the division race as well, though the Chargers will likely do battle with Bonanza for the fourth and final playoff spot.

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Roger Whalen (third year)

1999 Record: 4-6 (T-4th Sunset, lost in zone quarterfinals)

Top Players: Cody Jackson (6-3, 300), OG, Jr.; Joe DePatta (6-3, 245), OT / DT, Sr.; Dyante Perkins (6-1, 220), QB/LB/DB; Greg Puliz (6-2, 210), OT/ DE, Sr.; Jason Rogers (5-9, 190), RB, Sr.; Chris Selser (6-0, 200), ILB/FB, Sr.; Omid Shamin (6-3, 285), OG, Jr.

Outlook: After winning six games and upsetting Sunrise champion Eldorado in the playoffs in 1998, Gorman had high expectations heading into last season. A series of crippling injuries to key players, including Perkins and Rogers, derailed the Gaels before they could get going, though the team still managed to qualify for the playoffs. Much to Whalen's dismay, the 2000 campaign is starting much the same way, with his squad losing running back Mike Holmes along with offensive linemen Jackson and Brock Young to injuries during the preseason. Still, assuming they don't lose more key personnel, the Gaels appear to have more than enough remaining talent to stay competitive. Perkins is one of the state's most dangerous athletes, as well as a very capable leader of the offense. Rogers is another dangerous playmaker, and should find more running room behind an impr oved offensive line this year. But as Whalen is quick to point out, the defense will likely determine how far Gorman goes this season. "We can't score 30 and give up 40," he said.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Nick Butera (fifth year)

1999 Record: 3-6 (T-7th Sunset)

Top Players: Yimin Bauman (6-0, 200), LB/FB, Jr.; Tim Bowman (6-0, 165), QB, Sr.; Craig Burford (5-10, 200), OG/DT, Sr.; James Hooper (5-10, 195), FB/ LB, Sr.; John Newton (5-11, 165), WR, Jr.; Jai Shawn White (5-8, 150), TB/DB, Jr.

Outlook: After posting a total of one win the previous two seasons, the Bengals climbed back to respectability in 1999, with victories over Gorman and Palo Verde highlighting a competitive campaign. Now, the new playoff format will give Bonanza an opportunity to qualify for the postseason, although the division may be the area's most unforgiving. The team's strength will likely be its backfield of White, Hooper and Bauman, a trio Butera said has potential to be the school's best since 1996, when the Bengals lost in the zone semifinals. Bowman returns as the starting quarterback, and should give the club a balanced offensive look. Defensively, Bonanza will try to replace graduated linebacker Adam Seward (now at UNLV), particularly his leadership on defense. Bauman, a newcomer from Arizona, could fill a portion of that role, although Butera is hoping for an overall group effort defensively.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Jim Massey (third year)

1999 Record: 5-4 (T-4th Sunset)

Top Players: Clauvis Cyril (6-1, 190), CB, Sr.; Kent Nakata (6-0, 200), OG, Sr.; Chris Padilla (6-0, 285), OT, Sr.; Major Vina (6-0, 280), DT, Sr.; Jacque Williams (5-11, 180), TB, Jr.

Outlook: The Chargers quietly put together a solid 1999 campaign, shocking Western during the regular season and barely missing out on a playoff berth. This year, Massey sees a quicker, more athletic squad, albeit one with just 30 players on the varsity roster. The primary concern on offense will be the development of junior quarterback James Rensvold, who has his work cut out for him following in the footsteps of Division I products Jamie Manor and Charles Henderson. Williams, who rushed for nearly 800 yards as a sophomore a year ago, will likely be the offense's focal point, with Nakata and Padilla anchoring a somewhat undersized offensive line. When in shape, Vina is among the area's top defensive linemen, though the star of the defense should be the speedy Cyril, a potential Division I cornerback. Expect Clark to battle Bonanza for the division's final playoff spot, although a top-three finish is not out of the question.

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: John Mausbach (fifth year)

1999 Record: 9-2 (T-1st Sunset, lost in zone semifinals)

Top Players: Rick Alvarado (5-10, 190), OG, Sr.; Luke Doty (6-3, 230), OL / DL, Jr.; Ryan Parker (5-10, 185), LB, Sr.; Jose Rivera (5-9, 180), WR/DB, Sr.; Matt Smith (6-2, 190), TE/LB, Sr.; Jamar Thomas (5-7, 160), RB, Sr.; Chris Ward (6-0, 195), FB/LB, Sr.

Outlook: Perhaps no team in the state will be more affected by the loss of a single player than the Blazers. Gone is two-way star Brimmer, USA Today's Nevada Player of the Year in football and basketball and an athlete capable of making a game-turning play at any time. Nevertheless, you won't find Mausbach shedding any tears in 2000. Though his offense will likely be far less explosive, his squad is deep and talented enough to remain in the thick of things on the west side of town. This year, the defense will lead the way for Durango, with Smith and Ward a pair of experienced, ball-hawking linebackers at the forefront. Offensively, the nimble Thomas returns after rushing for nearly 750 yards and eight touchdowns in 1999, though all eyes will be on junior Rob Martinez, Brimmer's successor at QB. Mausbach knows that without last year's firepower, the Blazers will need to eliminate turnovers to stay competitive. If they can, expect them to battle Gorman and Western to the finish line.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Rich Stevens (fifth year)

1999 Record: 6-4 (3rd Sunset, lost in zone semifinals)

Top Players: Tim Day (6-5, 248), TE, Sr.; Chris Lightford (5-5, 155), RB/ FS, Sr.; Matt Robinson (6-4, 180), TE, Sr.; Anthony Sutton (5-9, 170), LB/C, Sr.; Narcus Wesley (6-2, 200), QB, Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors were a tough team to figure out in 1999. After suffering stunning losses to Palo Verde and Clark early, Western rebounded to hand Cimarron-Memorial its lone defeat of the year, only to fall to the Spartans by 29 points in the playoffs. Stevens attributed his club's slow start in part to high preseason expectations, with his players ignoring his pleas not to get caught up in the hype. This year, that shouldn't be a problem, since Cimarron is receiving the lion's share of the early praise, leaving Western to play the underdog role for the first time in a long time. As always, the Warriors will be a quick, run-oriented squad, with Lightford replacing senior Rossi Poole (ineligible until the playoffs) as the most experienced back. Though the passing game has never been a major part of Stevens' offense, Day is one of the state's top receiv ing threats, so expect Wesley to find ways to get him the ball. Defensively, Western will find it tough to replace graduated ends Marcus Levi and Modesto Fowler, but the squad will make up for its lack of size with an abundance of speed.