Columnist Spencer Patterson: Schedule plays cruel prank on Chargers

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000 | 11:06 a.m.

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

The way Cimarron-Memorial has dominated in 2000, an upcoming game against the two-time defending 4A state champion is enough to give opposing football coaches their share of headaches.

So imagine how Clark coach Jim Massey feels, with back-to-back road games against the Spartans on the calendar the next two weeks.

"We're in a tough situation," Massey admitted. "We're going to get a taste of the best team in town, two weeks in a row."

Already slated to conclude their regular season with a nonleague clash with Cimarron tonight, the Chargers drew the Northwest Division champs as their first-round opponent in the upcoming Sunset Region Tournament by virtue of their fourth-place finish in the Southwest Division.

Their division title -- as well as home field advantage for the entire regional and state playoffs -- already secured, the Spartans will still have plenty to play for tonight -- namely their first undefeated season. Last year, Cimarron was denied a perfect record in its season finale against Western.

So is Massey planning on holding anything back in the first meeting, in hopes of taking the Spartans by surprise in the second? As the Clark coach is quick to point out, his 2-6 Chargers don't have much to hold back, particularly after losing four of five starting offensive linemen to injury this season.

"We're going to throw the kitchen sink at them and be done with it," Massey said. "They've got a club that doesn't make mistakes and they're pretty physical. But I've told the kids the best team doesn't always win. And the ones you love to win are when people don't think you have a chance."

The 4A Sunrise and Sunset regional boys soccer tournaments kick off on Saturday at Cimarron-Memorial High School. Four games will be played at 11 a.m., with four to follow at 1:30 p.m.

Registration for winter sports officials will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. at Valley High. Officials are needed in all sports, and experience is not required. For more information, call Bill McGee at 646-3787...

Cox Cable Channel 48 will air tonight's Basic at Silverado football game next Wednesday at 7 p.m.