Prep football picks: Durango should stay perfect, dominate Gorman

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

The preliminaries are over. It's time for the main event: conference play, when the number of games each week goes down and the stakes go up. A few tough calls on this week's slate, including several that should have major playoff implications.

Friday's Games

BISHOP GORMAN (3-1) at DURANGO (4-0), 7 p.m.

Just last month, this game promised to be the Southwest's best matchup. Now, with the Blazers playing the area's best football, it might not be close. Look for Durango's dominant line play to continue to make the difference.

Pick: Durango 28, Gorman 14

CHAPARRAL (4-0) at FOOTHILL (3-1), 7 p.m.

A game likely to decide the Southeast, this one should go down to the wire. Look for a John Ford touchdown to give the Falcons the win in the closing minutes.

Pick: Foothill 24, Chaparral 20

DESERT PINES (3-1) at RANCHO (2-2), 7 p.m.

The Rams are the area's biggest surprise thus far in 2001, but they're catching the Jaguars at just the wrong time, after an ugly loss to Durango.

Pick: Desert Pines 27, Rancho 21

CHEYENNE (1-3) at CIMARRON-MEM. (1-3), 7 p.m.

The annual Duel in the Desert has lost a bit of its luster, with both teams still working out the kinks, but look for emotions to run as high as ever as both look to get back on track.

Pick: Cimarron 20, Cheyenne 13

ELDORADO (1-3) at LAS VEGAS (3-1), 7 p.m.

The Wildcats are the clear pick, but the Sundevils could give their rivals a better game than most expect.

Pick: Las Vegas 34, Eldorado 15

CENTENNIAL (2-2) at MOJAVE (1-3), 7 p.m.

This could decide which team qualifies for the postseason.

Pick: Centennial 21, Mojave 13

BASIC (0-4) at GREEN VALLEY (2-2), 7 p.m.

The Wolves aren't likely to reel off five straight wins as they did a year ago.

Pick: Green Valley 19, Basic 7

BONANZA (0-4) at CLARK (2-2), 7 p.m.

The Chargers knocked off Valley last week and should keep rolling.