Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001 | 11:03 a.m.
Oh, the horror! A week of upsets threatens to ruin a once-sparkling season, as I fall below the .800 mark for the first time in 2001. All three unbeatens lost and a first-year school won (and the scary thing is two other games very nearly went the other way to boot). Time to get back on track.
Friday's Games
CENTENNIAL (4-3, 2-0) at CHEYENNE (4-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
An unexpected battle for first place in the Northwest, this game figures to be among the season's most entertaining as the Desert Shields' stingy defense comes up against the Bulldogs' high-octane offense. With only last-place Mojave remaining on the schedule, look for Cheyenne to seize control of the division race.
Pick: Cheyenne 19, Centennial 14
FOOTHILL (5-2, 2-1) at SILVERADO (4-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The Skyhawks took out undefeated Chaparral last week, but will be hard-pressed to stop a well-rested John Ford and the Falcons.
Pick: Foothill 34, Silverado 28
CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (2-5, 1-2) at PALO VERDE (6-1, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Earmarked as one of the year's top matchups back in August, this now looks like the Panthers' chance to get back on track.
Pick: Palo Verde 27, Cimarron 13
DESERT PINES (5-2, 1-1) at ELDORADO (2-5, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Sundevils are improving, but the Jaguars appear to have regained their swagger.
Pick: Desert Pines 32, Eldorado 15
BISHOP GORMAN (4-3, 0-2) at BONANZA (1-6 1-1), 7 p.m.
The up-and-down Gaels should pick up their first league win here.
Pick: Gorman 28, Bonanza 7
LAS VEGAS (6-1, 3-0) at VALLEY (2-5, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Not what the doctor ordered for a reeling Vikings' squad.
Pick: Las Vegas 35, Valley 7
BASIC (0-7, 0-2) at CHAPARRAL (6-1, 1-1), 7 p.m.
The Cowboys are out for blood after last week's fourth-quarter crumble.
Pick: Chaparral 42, Basic 14
CLARK (5-2, 3-0) at WESTERN (0-7, 0-2), 7 p.m.
The Chargers get back RB Jacque Williams, not that they'll need him here.
Pick: Clark 33, Western 6
GREEN VALLEY (3-4) at RANCHO (3-4), 7 p.m.
Talk about a tough schedule: all four Rams' losses have come to ranked teams.
Pick: Rancho 22, Green Valley 20
MOJAVE (1-6) at DURANGO (6-1), 7 p.m.
This non-league game couldn't have come at a better time for the banged-up Blazers.
Pick: Durango 35, Mojave 12
Last week: 6-6. Season: 66-19 (.776)
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