Gorman, Eldorado advance

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Nov. 20, 2000 | 10:02 a.m.

If area prep football coaches have learned one critical lesson during the past three seasons, it may be this: Don't bother bringing an unbeaten record into the 4A playoffs.

On Friday night, two-time defending 4A state champion Cimarron-Memorial followed in the footsteps of Cheyenne (1998) and Las Vegas ('99), suffering its first loss of the year with a berth in the state tournament on the line.

The Spartans (11-1) fell 35-21 to visiting Bishop Gorman in the Sunset Region championship -- just Cimarron's second loss in its last 30 games, a streak that stretches back to the 1998 season.

"All the pressure was on them, and our kids played loose and hungry," Gaels coach Roger Whalen said. "I would never take anything away from Cimarron; they're a great program. But our kids played well, and we made a lot of things happen."

Gorman quarterback Dyante Perkins was the star of the show, rushing for three touchdowns and 116 yards and scoring another touchdown when he forced a fumble, recovered it and returned it for touchdown. He also helped the Gaels win the battle of field position with a series of booming punts.

"He's pretty much picked us up and carried us," Whalen said. "He's a big, strong kid. And he's such a leader for us."

With the win, the Gaels (9-3) take home-field advantage for the remainder of the playoffs. Gorman hosts Northern Region runner-up Wooster Saturday at 1 p.m. at Valley High School.

In Saturday's other 4A state semifinal, Northern champion McQueen (12-0) hosts Eldorado (10-2) in Reno, also at 1 p.m. The Sundevils captured the Sunrise Region championship with a 25-23 win over visiting Las Vegas (7-5) on Friday night.

"It still hasn't hit me yet, probably because I still feel like we have unfinished business," Eldorado coach Ken Trujillo said. "Our parents, our administrators and our loyalists are happy, but we feel like we have nothing to celebrate yet."

The Sundevils opened up a 25-10 halftime lead behind another spectacular performance from running back Steven Jackson (40 carries, 320 yards, three touchdowns). But the Wildcats got an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Antione White to open the second half, then scored moments later on an interception return by Chad Poll to get within two.

Two 38-yard field goal attempts by Evan Ellsworth fell short, sealing the win for the hosts.

"We beat a real good Vegas team twice this year, and anytime you can do that it says a lot about you," Trujillo said. "People can talk about the Cimarrons and the McQueens of the world but people better start talking about this team and giving them the credit they deserve. I think our defense is the best in town, and nobody has seen a kid like Steven."

One day after Gorman stopped Cimarron's two-year championship run, another local school kept an even more impressive title streak alive. On Saturday, the Meadows captured its fourth consecutive 2A state crown with its 29th consecutive victory, downing visiting Lincoln County 32-21.

"A lot of it is the attitude to know you're going to win," Mustangs coach Frank DeSantis said. "Our kids feel like every time they get on the field, they have to find a way to win."

The Mustangs (11-0) actually spotted the Lynx (8-2) early leads of 6-0 and 14-6, but responded with 20 straight points to put the game out of reach. Pat Curran rushed for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries, and Jeff Downer ran for a 47-yard touchdown and caught three passes for 76 yards to lead the way.

"I was just happy to be out here, first of all," said Curran, who missed last year's state title game with an injury. "The line stepped up, started moving guys around. And I always try to run hard every play, regardless of what the score is or how much time is on the clock."