Basic, GV battling for home playoff date

Adam Candee

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002 | 10:07 a.m.

Sun Statewide Football Top 10

Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Tribune

Ah, now that feels much better.

We finally broke out of the seven-win rut this past week, correctly pegging eight games and restoring a bit of the luster to our shiny prognostication machine located deep in the recesses of the Sun offices. In true athlete-speak, we're just hoping to execute like we know we can, take our game to the next level and take it one pick at a time.

Thanks to the observance of Nevada Day, this week's slate of games moves to Thursday night. Will things get a bit wacky on an unusual night as we draw near both Halloween and the playoffs? Here's what we think. Today's Games GREEN VALLEY (2-5, 2-1 SE) at BASIC (5-2, 1-1 SE), 7 p.m.

If we were oddsmakers, this game would be off the board due to the health of Basic QB Chris Montano. The winner of this game likely faces Eldorado or Rancho at home to open the playoffs. The loser does the death march over to Las Vegas or Desert Pines in the first round. With the Gators on a roll, this is a coin-toss game.

Basic 24, Green Valley 21

PALO VERDE (5-2, 1-1 NW) at CENTENNIAL (7-0, 2-0 SW), 7 p.m.

Palo Verde picked a bad time to be desperate for a win. The Panthers fall to, at best, the No. 3 seed with a loss here, but don't forget their two losses are by a combined three points to two ranked teams. The Bulldogs are a no-flash, all-cash team: No single big star, but money under pressure.

Centennial 15, Palo Verde 12

BISHOP GORMAN (4-3, 3-0 SW) at WESTERN (3-4, 2-1 SW), 7 p.m.

Three weeks ago, no one would have believed this game would be for the inside track to the region title. Gorman has come back to win in the fourth quarter in three straight games, while Western is completely unpredictable. We'll buy into the magic of the Cardiac Gaels for a week.

Bishop Gorman 27, Western 22

CLARK (4-3, 2-1 SW) at DURANGO (4-3, 2-1 SW), 7 p.m.

Allen McIntyre tore through the Bonanza defense a week ago, and the Blazers appear to be on the rise. How exactly did a Clark team with a four-game winning streak lose at home to Western by 24 points?

Durango 23, Clark 13

DESERT PINES (7-0, 3-0 NE) at ELDORADO (2-5, 2-1 NE), 7 p.m.

Congrats to the Sundevils for shaking off a dismal non-conference start to be in great position to make the playoffs. Condolences to Eldorado for running into the Desert Pines machine.

Desert Pines 31, Eldorado 7

CORONADO (3-4, 0-2 SE) at FOOTHILL (6-1, 2-0 SE), 7 p.m.

We've written plenty about Nate Wederquist and the offense, but it's the Falcons' defense that is proving to be the key to success.

Foothill 30, Coronado 10

LAS VEGAS (7-0, 3-0 NE) at RANCHO (3-4, 1-2 NE), 7 p.m.

The Wildcats look to stay on track for the Desert Pines showdown in a potential trap game. It wouldn't be a shock if Rancho put up a fight, but Las Vegas is still defending state champion.

Las Vegas 35, Rancho 19

SILVERADO (2-5, 1-2 SE) at CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (3-4, 1-2 NW), 7 p.m.

What if Silverado's Larry Patterson was healthy? What if Cimarron could have managed a field goal against Palo Verde? These are the wistful thoughts of two teams in some trouble right now.

Cimarron-Memorial 22, Silverado 7

CHEYENNE (5-2, 2-1 NW) at MOJAVE (0-7, 0-2 NW), 7 p.m.

If the scorching Desert Shields can stay focused, this is a team that might make some noise in the playoffs. The poor Rattlers could be looking at a bagel in the win column this year. We've picked against Cheyenne for four weeks, and the trend stops here.

Cheyenne 24, Mojave 0

BONANZA (1-6, 0-3 SW) at SIERRA VISTA (2-5, 0-3 SW), 7 p.m.

The loser is out of the playoffs. The winner keeps waif-thin hope alive.

Bonanza 22, Sierra Vista 20

CHAPARRAL (2-5, 0-3 NE) at VALLEY (0-7, 0-3 NE), 7 p.m.

See Bonanza-Sierra Vista notes.

Chaparral 30, Valley 17

Last week: 8-3

Spencer Patterson's 2002 record: 37-10 (.787) Adam Candee's 2002 record: 22-11 (.667)