Prep football picks: Desert Pines should get past rugged Foothill

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001 | 10:49 a.m.

OK, forget .800. After a brutal week one of the playoffs, I'm just hoping to hold on to a solid .750 winning percentage. Resurgences by Cimarron and Eldorado have clouded the picture, and you never know which Cheyenne team might show up. Still, look for Las Vegas and Durango to continue their march toward state, along with the winner of what promises to be a thrilling Foothill-Desert Pines matchup.

PLAYOFFS, REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Friday's Games

DESERT PINES (8-2) at FOOTHILL (7-3), 7 p.m.

One thing is certain: One of these third-year programs is going on to state. Beyond that, it's hard to predict anything. Last season, the Jaguars bounced the Falcons from the playoffs, but both teams have improved dramatically since then. As they have all year, Foothill's fortunes will largely ride on the capable shoulders of RB John Ford, who seems to have regained his stride after being slowed by a back injury earlier in the year. The Jags, meanwhile, are at their best when they mix the run and pass effectively, and that means QB Darrell Byrd must rise to the occasion and take pressure off RB Cornell Johnson. If that happens, look for Desert Pines to win this one late on the road.

Pick: Desert Pines 28, Foothill 21

DURANGO (9-1) at CENTENNIAL (7-3), 7 p.m.

Despite losing just one game in 2001, the Blazers continue to battle through one of the area's toughest playoff schedules. After shutting out a tough Palo Verde squad in round one, Durango takes the road to face a red-hot Centennial team that seems to get better each week. Both teams know that a win gives them a home game next week with a state berth on the line, so look for the teams to come out with intensity early. The Bulldogs probably have the edge when it comes to athleticism, with Patrick and Cory Gray and Devin Patterson all capable of making big offensive plays. But as opponents have learned all year, the Blazers may be Southern Nevada's most physical team, and that tends to mean the most in the postseason.

Pick: Durango 14, Centennial 10

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (3-7) at CHEYENNE (5-5), 7 p.m.

Greg Spencer and George Perry may be gone, but as they have so many times over the past decade, their former programs hook up again in a critical postseason contest. Two months ago, not many people were picking these teams to go deep into the playoffs, but next week one will play for a trip to state. Spartans RB Kellen Marshall, who has returned to form after battling ankle injuries, will try to carry on the tradition of Cimarron teams of the past with a big game against his school's chief rival. The Desert Shields, on the other hand, have done most of their best work on the defensive side of the ball, where an athletic unit has shut down the likes of Palo Verde and Bishop Gorman.

Pick: Cimarron 20, Cheyenne 15

ELDORADO (4-6) at LAS VEGAS (9-1), 7 p.m.

On paper, this looks like the mismatch of the semifinals. But you can bet Wildcats coach Kris Cinkovich has spent the week reminding his players that they only led the Sundevils 10-0 at halftime before winning the regular season matchup 34-7. Eldorado has come a long way since then, with QB Michael Edwards and RB Eric Williams growing into one of the area's top offensive tandems. Still, Vegas is the team to beat in these playoffs, with nine straight wins and an unbeaten record against in-state competition. The 'Cats have Southern Nevada's leading rusher in RB Antione White and one of the state's most feared defenses, and should have little trouble advancing.

Pick: Las Vegas 33, Eldorado 19

Last week: 4-4. Season: 86-28 (.754)