Basic gets nod over short-handed Silverado

Adam Candee

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Tribune

An opening week of 8-4 should not encourage burying one's head in the plentiful desert sand. Unfortunately, we have a bit of a higher standard to live up to around these parts. Some of these games jump out as easier picks, and others are being played in the Southwest Division, which could be best picked with a dartboard and a blindfold. We're just hoping there are no 2-0 games this week to toy with our selections.

Friday's Games SILVERADO (2-3) at BASIC (4-1), 7 p.m.

Minus injured RB Larry Patterson, Silverado continues to scrap along, including a well-fought win over Coronado last week. This Basic offense, however, is another animal entirely.

Basic 29, Silverado 14

CHEYENNE (3-2) at PALO VERDE (4-1), 7 p.m.

Coming off consecutive losses, the Shields must have this one to stay in contention. Cheyenne played three good quarters against both Desert Pines and Centennial, but fell through late. The Panthers would love some offense after last week's 2-0 grinder over Cimarron-Memorial. Naturally, a late safety makes the difference.

Palo Verde 22, Cheyenne 20

FOOTHILL (5-0) at CENTENNIAL (5-0), 7 p.m.

A non-league beauty. If either team starts as slowly as it did last week, it can expect to lose this one. The Falcons are tough, and will likely run deep into the playoffs, but the Bulldogs are getting that scary look about them.

Centennial 12, Foothill 9

GREEN VALLEY (0-5) at CORONADO (3-2), 7 p.m.

Time to find out what Coronado is made of, rebounding from a tough loss. The Gators went toe to toe with Foothill for a half, and Coronado blew some good chances at Silverado.

Coronado 17, Green Valley 10

DESERT PINES (5-0) at VALLEY (0-5), 7 p.m.

The biggest challenge for Desert Pines is to stay focused until the showdown with Las Vegas to close the regular season.

Desert Pines 40, Valley 13

LAS VEGAS (5-0) at CHAPARRAL (2-3), 7 p.m.

Corey Williams and the Wildcats are quietly rolling along.

Las Vegas 33, Chaparral 6

RANCHO (3-2) at ELDORADO (0-5), 7 p.m.

The Rams are displaying some scary inconsistency, but they should have enough for the Sundevils.

Rancho 20, Eldorado 9

WESTERN (2-3) at DURANGO (2-3), 7 p.m.

Durango's three losses have come by six total points. Eventually, though, it just means you are losing games. The Blazers are done if they lose this one on homecoming night.

Durango 22, Western 12

BISHOP GORMAN (2-3) at BONANZA (1-4), 7 p.m.

The Gaels survived thanks to an overtime field goal last week. Not that the Bengals are lighting things up, but this one will tell us if the win over Durango was for real.

Bonanza 14, Bishop Gorman 13

CLARK (3-2) at SIERRA VISTA (2-3), 7 p.m.

The Chargers have not exactly been pretty, and neither have the Lions. The difference is, Clark is finding a way to get through these games.

Clark 18, Sierra Vista 14

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (2-3) at MOJAVE (0-5), 7 p.m.

Don't let the Spartans' record fool you. This is a sleeper team in the tough Northwest division.

Cimarron-Memorial 24, Mojave 6

Last week: 8-4 Spencer Patterson's 2002 record: 37-10 (.787) Adam Candee's 2002 record: 8-4 (.667)