Prep football picks: Cimarron just can’t lose four in a row

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 | 9:55 a.m.

Chaparral and Cheyenne scored late last week to rough up my record a bit, but 50 wins after five weeks isn't too shabby. With injuries starting to mount for some of the area's top teams, however, almost nothing can be taken for granted the rest of the way.

Friday's games

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (1-4) at CENTENNIAL (3-2), 7 p.m.

The Spartans are reeling after three straight losses and have lost starting quarterback Danny Phee to boot. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are staking a claim as the area's most improved squad and will be at home. Everything points to a Centennial win ... but it's too hard to imagine Cimarron dropping four in a row.

Pick: Cimarron 21, Centennial 14

LAS VEGAS (4-1) at DESERT PINES (4-1), 7 p.m.

Maybe the toughest game to pick all year, this one was decided by a single point last season and should go down to the wire again. The Jaguars may have a bit more firepower on offense, but the guess here is that the Wildcats will take a page out of Durango's playbook and win the war in the trenches.

Pick: Las Vegas 28, Desert Pines 21

CLARK (3-2) at BISHOP GORMAN (3-2), 7 p.m.

Playing before a homecoming crowd at Sam Boyd, the Gaels will edge the Chargers on a late score.

Pick: Gorman 20, Clark 17

GREEN VALLEY (3-2) at SILVERADO (2-3), 7 p.m.

The Gators are in the midst of a resurgence, but the Skyhawks will get it done at home in this Henderson border battle.

Pick: Silverado 21, Green Valley 19

FOOTHILL (3-2) at BASIC (0-5), 7 p.m.

John Ford or not, look for the Falcons to bounce back this week.

Pick: Foothill 24, Basic 13

RANCHO (2-3) at VALLEY (2-3), 7 p.m.

D.J. Porter and the Rams have put scares into the area's top three squads, so they should come out on top here.

Pick: Rancho 27, Valley 18

MOJAVE (1-4) at PALO VERDE (5-0), 7 p.m.

What a difference four years has made for two programs that started varsity play together.

Pick: Palo Verde 28, Mojave 7

DURANGO (5-0) at WESTERN (0-5), 7 p.m.

A win here would salvage the Warriors' season, but don't count on it.

Pick: Durango 28, Western 7

CHAPARRAL (5-0) at ELDORADO (0-5), 7 p.m.

The annual battle for Merlin Olsen's cleat should bring out the best in the Sundevils, but Chap is on a roll.

Pick: Chaparral 21, Eldorado 13

CHEYENNE (2-3) at BONANZA (0-5), 7 p.m.

The Shields build on last week's win at Cimarron.

Pick: Cheyenne 26, Bonanza 7

CORONADO (1-3) at MOAPA VALLEY (4-1), 7 p.m.

The Pirates are one of 3A's perennial powers.

Pick: Moapa Valley 35, Coronado 6

SIERRA VISTA (0-4) at PAHRUMP VALL. (2-3), 7 p.m.

Coronado nearly beat Pahrump, but the Lions aren't there yet.

Pick: Pahrump Valley 20, Sierra Vista 7

Last week: 9-3. Season: 50-11 (.820)

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