Basic gets nod to top Bonanza in opener

Adam Candee

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 8:43 a.m.

You missed me, didn't you?

Our wait of nearly nine months ends this evening when the Friday night lights are powered up to begin the 2003 football season. In much the same way, we are ready to fire up the prep prognostication machine, a highly sophisticated device we use to forecast the outcome of every high school football game throughout the year.

A number of intriguing games highlight the opening night schedule, most notably Durango's visit to Foothill. That is a showdown of two likely division winners that will give help shape our first statewide Top 10 rankings, due out Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday. This season, our Top 10 will regularly run Monday after the weekend action.

That whirring sound from the machine tells me it's time to get on with the first-week forecast... Tonight's games (All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

Bonanza (0-0) at Basic (0-0)

The skinny: Combining a Bonanza team that could not stop anyone a year ago with a Basic offense that lit up the scoreboard behind QB Chris Montano is dangerous. This will be our first look at Montano since his season-ending knee injury last year, and we think he'll have the Wolves rolling.

The pick: Basic 30, Bonanza 12

Palo Verde (0-0) at Desert Pines (0-0)

The skinny: These two put on a show last season, with the Jaguars winning by two points. Talking to Palo Verde players this week, they remembered that game and are ready to take it to the depleted Jaguars. This will be Jarrell Harrison's official coming-out party.

The pick: Palo Verde 23, Desert Pines 7

Durango (0-0) at Foothill (0-0)

The skinny: Game of the week. The Falcons return 11 starters from a squad that could easily have made the state playoffs and Ray Fenton's bunch appears hungry for more. Durango is a stud team on paper, but injuries are again slowing them early. Those injuries are the difference in this one.

The pick: Foothill 19, Durango 10

Cheyenne (0-0) at Silverado (0-0)

The skinny: Does anyone remember that the Desert Shields went to state last year? Few are mentioning them among the city's best, but Cheyenne features one of the city's best offensive players in RB David Peeples and an improved offensive line. Silverado will have little chance to match Cheyenne's team speed.

The pick: Cheyenne 34, Silverado 6

Sierra Vista (0-0) at Chaparral (0-0)

The skinny: Two teams coming off disappointing seasons look to start on the right foot. Give the Cowboys a slight edge at home.

The pick: Chaparral 20, Sierra Vista 18

Clark (0-0) at Coronado (0-0)

The skinny: Tough call here, as the athletic but unpredictable Chargers venture over to the Southeast to face a Cougars team with a ton of returners. Our guess is that Coronado will have trouble stopping Clark's option behind QB Josh Tuitele.

The pick: Clark 22, Coronado 16

Centennial (0-0) at Eldorado (0-0)

The skinny: Even after a 10-1 season in 2002, the Bulldogs are a sleeper this year. Robbed of talent by new Shadow Ridge, Centennial looks to have enough for one more run at the Northwest Division. Eldorado came on late last season, but it's not enough to take out the Bulldogs.

The pick: Centennial 30, Eldorado 12

Mojave (0-0) at Rancho (0-0)

The skinny: Roger Whalen's Rams are such a tough team to figure out -- talented enough to challenge the city's best, poor enough to commit 27 turnovers in four games. They will open strong, however, against a Mojave team that did not win last year.

The pick: Rancho 27, Mojave 16

Cimarron-Mem. (0-0) at Las Vegas (0-0)

The skinny: The hype surrounding a rather unproven Wildcats team is overwhelming, so we will enjoy the chance to see how good Las Vegas really is. Their size up front will be enough to overwhelm a Cimarron team short on beef.

The pick: Las Vegas 34, Cimarron-Memorial 14

Western (0-0) at Valley (0-0)

The skinny: So just how improved is Valley with its horde of returning starters? And what to make of a talented but thin Western team? Flip a coin in what should be a wild game.

The pick: Valley 40, Western 31

Bishop Gorman (0-0) at Green Valley (0-0)

The skinny: The Lance Patonai vs. Steve Harris quarterback showdown is the intrigue. The Gaels' surprising athleticism is the reality. It could be a brutal season for Green Valley with the schedule they play.

The pick: Bishop Gorman 21, Green Valley 14

Liberty (0-0) at Shadow Ridge (0-0)

The skinny: The newcomers battle each other in the first of two meetings this year. Shadow Ridge could be better than people think with its influx of talent from Centennial, and they should be better than the Patriots this week.

The pick: Shadow Ridge 31, Liberty 10