Eldorado gets nod over Cheyenne in season opener

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001 | 10:41 a.m.

After flirting with an elusive .800 winning percentage in 1999, last year proved to be quite a bit tougher (.712), no small thanks to the unexpected success of second-year schools Desert Pines and Foothill. As it is ever year, week one will be tough, as I struggle to separate the contenders from the pretenders. As always, the Sun's weekly picks are provided strictly for entertainment purposes. And away we go...

Cheyenne at Eldorado, 7 p.m.

With new coaches at the helm for both teams, the Sundevils and Desert Shields enter 2001 as two of the area's biggest unknowns. This game should give us some idea about the two teams' chances of challenging for division titles.

Pick: Eldorado 20, Cheyenne 14

Desert Pines at Centennial, 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs should be better this season, but the Jags could be Southern Nevada's top team.

Pick: Desert Pines 27, Centennial 14

Western at Silverado, 7 p.m.

Western won a wild 50-49 affair last year, but with their weight room under construction all summer, the Warriors could get outmuscled early.

Pick: Silverado 24, Western 20

Durando at Green Valley, 7 p.m.

You don't want to be standing in the neutral zone when the area's two beefiest lines butt heads. The Gators may be slightly bigger, but look for the quicker Blazers to run past them.

Pick: Durango 28, Green Valley 13

La Costa Canyon at Las Vegas, 7 p.m.

With memories of last year's 49-7 throttling still fresh in their minds, the Wildcats should keep things closer against the Californians this time around.

Pick: La Costa Canyon 30, Las Vegas 26

Delta at Cim.-Memorial, 7 p.m.

A dominant Cimarron squad was pushed to the limit in this game by the Utahans last season, so this year's version may have its hands full.

Pick: Delta 21, Cimarron 20

Palo Verde at Valley, 7 p.m.

The Panthers' march to the Sunset Region title begins here.

Pick: Palo Verde 20, Valley 7

Bishop Gorman at Basic, 7 p.m.

The Gaels get the better of this battle of defending division champs .

Pick: Gorman 27, Basic 13

Bonanza at Chaparral, 7 p.m.

The Cowboys could be a dark horse this year.