Cheyenne surviving turmoil

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 | 10:03 a.m.

Kevin Richardson is playing with a new sense of purpose.

Relegated strictly to defensive duties by coach Marcus Sherman to begin the season, Cheyenne's starting quarterback from a year ago felt helpless as he watched his club score just two touchdowns in its first two contests.

Then, in a bizarre turn of events, Sherman resigned his post after game three of his first season at the school. Baseball coach Dave Snyder, a former Desert Shields' freshman and varsity football coach, took over the program, and Richardson found himself back where he felt most comfortable -- behind center.

Since then, a Cheyenne club that appeared headed nowhere has won two of three games, including a 26-21 victory over longtime rival Cimarron-Memorial. Friday night, the Shields (3-3, 1-0 Northwest) will host No. 3 Palo Verde (6-0, 1-0), with sole possession of first place in the division at stake.

"After all we've gone through this year, we feel like we're a family," Richardson said. "Before we had kids complaining every day, and that was pulling us apart. Now we just want to go out there and play."

Snyder, who coached Richardson and many of his teammates as the head freshman coach, said he didn't need much time to get re-acquainted with his players.

"I think they were pretty shocked at what happened, but they've adjusted pretty easily," Snyder said. "I've coached most of them, so they knew what I expected. Even though I came in late, our goal is to win the division.

"I think they realize exactly what we're playing for this week."

Since reclaiming his quarterback job, Richardson has looked more and more like the dangerous Division I prospect who terrorized opposing defenses throughout 2000. In his three starts, the 6-3, 205-pound senior has thrown for three touchdowns and run for two more, while taking pressure off the Shields' running back corps.

"He's definitely a weapon. You can't just put one defender out there to stop him, but you'd better defend him or he'll beat you," Snyder said.

Panthers' coach Darwin Rost said containing Richardson will be a major focus for his defense Friday night.

"Having him at quarterback has definitely turned their offense around," Rost said. "They try to keep the ball in his hands a lot, and they have a couple of quick backs."

To have any chance of pulling off the upset, the Shields will also need to contain a Palo Verde offense that is averaging 30.2 points per game and has been held under 28 points only once this year.

The Panthers have effectively mixed the pass and run. Quarterback Dayton Ponder has completed 37-of-60 passes for 564 yards and five touchdowns, tailback Gerard Lawson has carried 73 times for 562 yards and six touchdowns and fullback Ryan Worthen has added 243 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns.

"We're a pretty aggressive defense, and we've got to be aggressive, but we can't overpursue," middle linebacker Darrell Henderson said. "They don't just have one person you have to shut down, so we've got to play hard.

"Everyone is ready for this game," Henderson added. "We feel we can beat them. We just have to play to our potential."