Columnist Spencer Patterson: Newest schools making noise on gridiron

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000 | 9:36 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or by e-mail at spencer@lasvegassun.com

Last year, they took a beating as independent entries, combining for a 3-22 record and going winless against the area's established 4A schools.

One season later, all three of Southern Nevada's second-year schools -- Desert Pines, Centennial and Foothill -- have emerged as major players in their divisional playoff races.

Anyone who's paying any attention to high school football this year knows about the Jaguars -- 5-0 in 2000 after going 0-7 a year ago. Desert Pines not only looks like a shoe-in to make the playoffs, but could have a legitimate chance to challenge for the Northeast Division title.

Last weekend, Centennial and Foothill joined the fray, putting themselves in position to challenge for a postseason berth in their first season with seniors on the roster.

Expected to miss the playoffs altogether after an 0-4 nonleague start, the Bulldogs posted a surprisingly easy 24-6 win over Mojave, giving them a leg up on the Rattlers for the Northwest's final playoff berth. Now, even if Centennial doesn't win another game, Mojave will have to beat Cimarron-Memorial, Cheyenne or Palo Verde to make the postseason.

Likewise, the Falcons' shocking 27-24 victory over Chaparral put them right in the thick of the Southeast race, though Basic's win over Green Valley might force Foothill to win again to make the playoffs.

First-round team matches will start at 9 a.m., with the higher seed serving as the host school. Semifinals will take place Tuesday, Oct. 10, with team finals slated for Wednesday.

Individual singles and doubles competition still is scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 12 and conclude Saturday, Oct. 14.

Durango graduate Chris Kelly appeared in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of the Oct. 2 issue of Sports Illustrated. Kelly, now a freshman at Pepperdine, hit 30 home runs to break the American Legion national record last summer. ...

KRLV 1340-AM will air Friday's Eldorado at Chaparral football game live at 7 p.m. Cox Cable Channel 48 will broadcast Friday's Valley at Rancho game next Wednesday at 7 p.m.