Picks: Cimarron, Eldorado get nods to advance

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000 | 11:40 a.m.

They say big-time players step up in the playoffs, and apparently, so do big-time prognosticators. After a rocky regular season, an 11-1 postseason mark has me feeling confident again heading into the year's most important games.

REGIONAL FINALS

Friday's Games

BISHOP GORMAN (8-3) at CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (11-0), 7 p.m.

The Spartans got an unexpected scare from Cheyenne last week, but played like champions down the stretch to keep hope for a three-peat alive. The Gaels also won in overtime, picking up a win against a Palo Verde squad that resembles Cimarron in many respects. All eyes will be on Gorman stars Dyante Perkins and Jason Rogers, who will try to find room against a Cimarron defense that's been awfully tough to run on for the past four seasons. Look for the Spartans to try to force Perkins to get it done with his arm, rather than with his feet, since the Gaels seem to be most effective when their QB gets it done on the ground. Cimarron's offense will also have a lot to say about the effectiveness of Perkins and Rogers, with the Spartans hoping to win the time-of-possession war to keep the Gorman duo's opportunities to a minimum. After a relatively quiet season, A ndre Rhodes gave the Spartans a late lift last week, and could give Cimarron another weapon to go with backs Kellen Marshall and Alex Gonzales. Three years ago, the Gaels hung a rare loss on Cimarron during the regular season, before the Spartans got revenge in the playoffs. This time, look for Cimarron to get it right the first time.

Pick - Cimarron 27, Gorman 14

LAS VEGAS (7-4) at ELDORADO (9-2), 7 p.m.

A good, old-fashioned east-side battle with a trip to state on the line. The Sundevils captured the regular season meeting 46-29, but both clubs have come a long way since September. For the Wildcats -- as it has been for every Eldorado opponent -- the key will be limiting running back Steven Jackson, who torched Vegas for a season-high 315 yards last time around. Last week against Desert Pines, the Sundevils' offensive line cleaned house, giving Jackson plenty of room in a 41-carry performance. The going should be a bit tougher against the Wildcats' bigger, more physical defensive front, which held Valley's James Sims under 50 yards last week. Jackson is still likely to grind out his fair share of yardage, but if he busts loose for more than one or two big plays, it could be a long night for Vegas. On the flipside, the Eldorado defense, coming off an insp ired effort against the Jaguars, will have its hands full with tailback Antione White, another breakaway threat. Look for t his one to go down to the wire, with the home team getting the nod here.

Pick - Eldorado 28, Las Vegas 26

Last week: 4-0 Season: 77-30 (.720)