Getting another chance

Adam Candee

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

If it is true that opportunity knocks only once, Foothill must be wondering if fate somehow found a doorbell as well.

An 8-1 record and a Southeast division title nearly went for naught, as the Falcons barely avoided losing to Chaparral -- the No. 4 seed with a 3-6 record -- in last week's region quarterfinals.

"We get a second chance in the playoffs, and you don't ever get a second chance," Foothill coach Ray Fenton said. "You won't get a third."

After escaping what would have been the biggest upset in recent memory by just a single point in overtime, Foothill treasures the chance to clear the register and start anew this week when it hosts Desert Pines (NE-2, 9-1) in the Sunrise Region semifinals.

"We're thankful just to be back, just to have another chance," Falcons quarterback Josh Daneshforooz said.

Perhaps no Falcon is more cognizant of that opportunity than Daneshforooz. The team's senior quarterback did not survive the first drive of the season against Durango before breaking his collarbone and missing the majority of the campaign.

Daneshforooz returned a couple of weeks ago, but did not really get into rhythm until he put up 275 combined yards of passing and rushing against Chaparral. The trouble was, turnovers and bad penalties nearly made that Daneshforooz's last game with Foothill, just a year removed from leading the Falcons into the 4A State Tournament.

With the Cowboys' scare behind them, the Falcons will try to put the offense they envisioned in August on the field. While Mickey Beljin filled in well for Daneshforooz, the latter provides more of a running threat to complement the playmaking skills of senior wideout Nate Wederquist. With multiple sets and a balanced attack, Foothill becomes a more potent offense.

"We're putting things in this week and the kids are saying, 'Oh, I remember this,' " Fenton said.

Across the field, there are few secrets to the Desert Pines offense. Quarterback Marcel Johnson anchors the improved passing game, but tailback Cornell Johnson remains the alpha and the omega of the offense. Johnson rushed for 145 yards and three TDs in last week's 29-12 win over Green Valley, and Jaguars coach Leon Evans said the Falcons will see an even heavier dose of his star this week.

"We've got to establish our running game," Evans said. "We've got to get two-seven (Johnson) going early."

Fenton knows it is equally important for the Foothill defense to find the solution to slowing Johnson. Having faced him five times in four seasons, Fenton also knows how much easier said than done that task is.

"We've tried everything to slow him down," Fenton said. "And nothing's worked yet."

Evans said his squad started strong against the Gators, but it did not put away Green Valley as he had hoped. Swirling winds Friday forced Desert Pines to abandon the passing game early, limiting the Jaguars' options.

The wind that Las Vegas knocked out of Desert Pines a week earlier affected the Jaguars as much as the ones gusting around the Valley. Evans admitted that the hangover from losing the Northeast division title to the Wildcats remained.

"I think we're still emotionally drained from that week," Evans said. "It was tough to go out and practice that week."