C-M pulls off playoff upset

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 | 9:34 a.m.

They say a new season begins when the playoffs kick off, and perhaps no one understands that better than the Cimarron-Memorial Spartans.

After slipping into the prep football postseason with a 2-7 record, the Spartans pulled off the biggest upset in round one, toppling Southwest Division champion Clark 27-14 last Friday night.

"We stressed all along, 'Let's get into the dance and once we're there let's start playing some football,' " Cimarron coach Gary Maki said. "The fire has been lit with these kids."

The fourth-seeded Spartans, who rallied from a 14-0 deficit to oust the top-seeded Chargers (7-3), will travel to rival Cheyenne (5-5) Friday night, with the winner advancing to play in the 4A Sunset Region championship next week. The Desert Shields advanced with a narrow 14-12 home win over Bishop Gorman.

"We're 1-0 now and we like our chances going to Cheyenne," Maki said. "We feel we can hang with anyone left on our side, including Durango and Centennial. We'd love to be the first team to go 7-7 and win a state championship."

Maki's optimism stems in large part from the improved health of senior running back Kellen Marshall, who missed the better part of four games down the stretch with injuries to both ankles. After playing sparingly in a 24-8 loss to Clark in both teams' regular season finale two weeks ago, Marshall racked up 171 yards and three TDs on 32 carries.

Also playing with a new sense of purpose are the Eldorado Sundevils, who bested host Silverado 34-24 in round one to advance to the Sunrise semifinals. The Sundevils (4-6) will visit top-seeded Las Vegas (9-1) this week, with one of the region's two state berths on the line.

"The last few games going into the playoffs we started playing a lot better," Eldorado coach Dave Castro said. Senior quarterback Michael Edwards spearheaded the Sundevils' victory, rushing for an 80-yard touchdown and completing 5-of-6 passes, including a 5-yard scoring strike to Russell Black.

"He's putting in more time, and it's paid off," Castro said. "He's making the right calls at the line on his audibles, and his reads and keys have become quicker."

On the other side of the Sunrise draw, Foothill (7-3) will host Desert Pines (8-2) in a much-anticipated game between two of Southern Nevada's preseason favorites. The Falcons advanced with a 41-0 rout of Rancho, while the Jaguars got a late field goal from Lee Dorsey to edge Chaparral 31-28.

In the Sunset's other semifinal, Durango (9-1) will travel to Centennial (7-3). The Trailblazers blanked Palo Verde 7-0, while the Bulldogs ran past Bonanza 21-3.

On Saturday, The Meadows rolled over Faith Lutheran 40-0 to advance to the semifinals of the 2A State Tournament. The Mustangs (10-0), who have won 39 consecutive games, will host Pershing County (7-4) Saturday at 1 p.m.