Columnist Spencer Patterson: Region could ‘grow into’ playoff format

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

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

The prep football season is just one week old, and already this year's playoff format has become a major topic of debate.

With 16 of Southern Nevada's 20 4A schools slated to make the postseason, coaches and fans alike are wondering whether such mass participation is really necessary.

On one side are those who believe the new system will give hope to teams near the bottom of the standings, who will have something to play for long after their season normally would be over.

On the other side are those who foresee severe mismatches in the first round of the playoffs and also question whether a team with a 2-7 or 1-8 record really deserves a shot at the postseason.

To those concerns, Clark County athletic director Larry McKay urges a simple solution: patience. McKay is quick to point out that the new format was devised with one eye on the future, with 16 new high schools slated to open in Southern Nevada by 2008.

"We're looking at future issues," McKay said. "Eventually these four leagues will have eight teams apiece, in the fairly near future."

McKay acknowledges that for now, with four of five teams qualifying for the playoffs in each of Southern Nevada's four divisions, first-round mismatches are likely. And he admits there's a part of him that would prefer to see fewer schools in the postseason.

"I've always been a purist who believes you have to earn your way into the playoffs," McKay said. "And I think we'll definitely see some mismatches in the playoffs."

But in the long run, McKay believes that as the area continues to grow, so will support for Southern Nevada's new playoff format.

"There's always going to be opinions on both sides. The main thing to keep in mind is that we'll grow into it," he said.

Coming off a 1999 campaign that saw them earn a berth in the 3A state tournament, the Eagles will turn to a relatively inexperienced group as they try to keep pace with Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley in the 3A Southern Division.

Last year, Boulder City coach Dan Cahill and assistant Richard Welch designed their own Double Wing-T-style offense to complement the abilities of star quarterback Lee Hafen, one of the top athletes in school history.

Now, Hafen is gone, but the offensive system remains in place. This year, Mike Owens and Nick Hunn will split time at quarterback, with Jason Hite the top returning running back and Walter Lawrence a two-year starter at center.

"We love the offense. The more we run it, the more flexibility we think it gives us," Cahill said. "It's unique, and it's real hard to defense because no sees it."

Defensively, the Eagles return a strong quartet of linebackers in Justin Martens, Matt Stimmer, Hite and Nunn, along with nose guard Brian Martinez.

That defensive unit should have its hands full Friday against a Palo Verde squad that went 8-3 and qualified for the CIF playoffs last season. Cahill scouted his opening-night opponent during Palo Verde's 49-35 loss to Parker (Ariz.) last week.

"They're fast, fast, fast," Cahill said. "Their speed is going to be a problem for us, but I think we can compete with them."

Bishop Gorman senior Justin Burns has been cleared to play basketball for the Gaels this year by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. Burns, who played for Durango as a freshman before playing in Mississippi and Washington D.C. the past two years, was initially declared ineligible per the NIAA's transfer guidelines. He successfully appealed that decision. ...

Green Valley's girls golf team extended its consecutive victory streak to 105 dual matches with a win over Basic on Tuesday. The Gators are 15 wins shy of the national record set by Phoenix's Xavier College Preparatory from 1985-95. ...

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