Trailblazers get nod in exciting opener

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

Sun Statewide Football Top 10

Teams ranked jointly by the Sun and the Sparks Tribune

After accurately predicting three out of every four outcomes all season, what can a prep prognosticator possibly do for an encore? How about picking the Wildcats to win the finale in Reno, with a winning margin just four points off. With that tough act to follow, we begin again, Thursday night style.

Tonight's games FOOTHILL (0-0) at DURANGO (0-0), 6 p.m.

Two 2001 state semifinalists meet up, with both likely to be in the hunt again this year. Early in the year, the proven defense gets the nod.

Durango 21, Foothill 14

DESERT PINES (0-0) at PALO VERDE (0-0), 6 p.m.

Another great early-season matchup between squads with legitimate hopes of reaching state. Flip a coin.

Desert Pines 19, Palo Verde 17

LAS VEGAS (0-0) at CIMARRON-MEMORIAL (0-0), 6 p.m.

Meadows' run may be over, but Frank DeSantis is still at 41 wins and counting. To get No. 42, his Spartans just have to knock off the state's top-ranked team.

Las Vegas 33, Cimarron 13

SILVERADO (0-0) at CHEYENNE (0-0), 6 p.m.

Silverado's Larry Patterson is fast, but not many backs have outrun the Desert Shields over the years.

Cheyenne 19, Silverado 14

ELDORADO (0-0) at CENTENNIAL (0-0), 6 p.m.

The veteran-laden Bulldogs come up against a team with just five seniors.

Centennial 24, Eldorado 9

CORONADO (0-0) at CLARK (0-0), 6 p.m.

A tricky pick between two of this year's true wild cards.

Coronado 13, Clark 12

BASIC (0-0) at BONANZA (0-0), 6 p.m.

The winner gets some much-needed early momentum.

Basic 27, Bonanza 13

RANCHO (0-0) at MOJAVE (0-0), 6 p.m.

Both teams have plenty of speed, but the Rams' size advantage should be the difference.

Rancho 25, Mojave 14

CHAPARRAL (0-0) at SIERRA VISTA (0-0), 6 p.m.

New Lions coach Ben Johnson opens against his old team.

Chaparral 21, Sierra Vista 10

VALLEY (0-0) at WESTERN (0-0), 6 p.m.

If only it were 1996 again.

Valley 20, Western 7

SNOW CANYON (Utah) (0-1) at GREEN VALLEY (0-0), 7 p.m.

Could be close. Time for the trusty out-of-town rule.

Snow Canyon 28, Green Valley 20

CARSON GRAHAM (Vancouver, B.C.) at BISHOP GORMAN (0-0), 7 p.m.

The out-of-town rule doesn't apply to Canada.

Gorman 35, Carson Graham 7

Last season's record: 93-30 (.756)

archive