Northwest teams should have strong showing

Adam Candee

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and theSparks Tribune

Watch out for the tornado blowing in from the Northwest.

The city's toughest division, featuring three ranked teams, has a great chance to sweep through the Sunset Region quarterfinals. There would be no upsets, even if fourth-seeded Cimarron ousts top-seeded Bishop Gorman (see below).

If you rub your crystal ball just right, you might see some juicy second-round hookups such as Desert Pines at Foothill and Palo Verde at Centennial. OK, that's just my crystal ball. Read on for the details.

The final week of the regular season held few surprises. Las Vegas reminded everyone that it is the defending state champion until someone proves otherwise. Most of the better teams won. Bonanza broke my heart again. Yup, a pretty average week.

Onward and upward, or as we're calling it this week, North by Northwest ...

Friday's games CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (NW-4, 4-5) at BISHOP GORMAN (SW-1, 6-3), 7 p.m.

Don't let the seeding deceive you -- this is an evenly matched game. The tough Spartans can run the ball and defend, while the Gaels rely on the passing attack. Gorman skated on thin ice in the fourth quarter throughout division play, but managed to find ways to win. The ice cracks Friday against a battle-hardened Cimarron team.

Cimarron-Memorial 17, Bishop Gorman 14

WESTERN (SW-3, 4-5) at CHEYENNE (NW-2, 7-2), 7 p.m.

Once again, don't let the seeding deceive you -- this is not an evenly matched game. With Travonte Darby and David Peeples running effectively and the Cheyenne defense clamping down, the Desert Shields can beat anyone in town. Western beat the teams it should have in the Southwest, and lost to the teams it should have.

Cheyenne 30, Western 7

PALO VERDE (NW-3, 6-3) at DURANGO (SW-2, 6-3), 7 p.m.

No sense over-analyzing here -- big-time Durango offense against big-time Palo Verde defense. Turnovers will decide it, and probably decide it late. I must have changed this pick 10 times before settling on ...

Durango 10, Palo Verde 9

CLARK (SW-4, 4-5) at CENTENNIAL (NW-1, 9-0), 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs have been content to keep the offense simple and let the defense win it in the brutal Northwest division, and that formula obviously worked well. Against overmatched Clark, that formula should be effective again. But Centennial might need to take a few more chances to knock off the powerhouses down the road.

Centennial 24, Clark 6

SILVERADO (SE-4, 2-7) at LAS VEGAS (NE-1, 9-0), 7 p.m.

The Wildcats roll into the playoffs off the emotional win at Desert Pines, and Silverado is severely undermanned in this one. Without double coverage, Las Vegas wideout Corey Williams is unstoppable, and the Wildcats' coaching staff knows this and will exploit it. Las Vegas should breeze through the first two rounds.

Las Vegas 45, Silverado 12

ELDORADO (NE-3, 3-6) at BASIC (SE-2, 7-2), 7 p.m.

Adrian Montano is growing up in a hurry as he replaces his injured brother, Chris, throwing for 180 yards last week. The Wolves have enough to take care of Eldorado, as long as they can stop the Sundevils on the ground. Let's be honest: Either of these teams is in for some hurt next week against Las Vegas.

Basic 26, Eldorado 16

GREEN VALLEY (SE-3, 2-7) at DESERT PINES (NE-2, 8-1), 7 p.m.

Think this might be a slightly peeved Jaguars team that takes the field Friday? No disrespect meant to Green Valley, but I won't be shocked if Cornell Johnson runs for close to 250 yards. The Gators have some talent but have not put it all together this year. They are a dangerous opponent for Desert Pines, but the Jaguars will rise to the occasion.

Desert Pines 40, Green Valley 20

CHAPARRAL (NE-4, 3-6) at FOOTHILL (SE-1, 8-1), 7 p.m.

Give credit to Chaparral for winning a de facto play-in game against Rancho to earn its berth. The Cowboys are in a bit over their heads against this Foothill team, though. With the driving force of Nate Wederquist, the return of Josh Daneshforooz and the very underrated defense, the Falcons should storm into one of the best matchups of this playoff season, hosting Desert Pines in the region semifinals.

Foothill 21, Chaparral 0

Last week: 9-2 Spencer Patterson's 2002 record: 37-10 (.787) Adam Candee's 2002 record: 41-14 (.745)

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