Region playoffs feature plenty of talented teams

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 | 10:01 a.m.

No one needs to tell Rick Kazee about how unpredictable the playoffs can be.

The Centennial coach got a bittersweet lesson in playoff mechanics during last season's boys' soccer playoffs. His Bulldogs scored an upset victory of Bishop Gorman in the Sunset Region final, winning their first conference crown.

Just a week later, the Gaels rebounded to defeat Centennial in the championship of the 4A State Tournament. The Bulldogs return to this year's region playoffs, slated to begin this afternoon at Bettye Wilson Fields, as the Northwest Division champion but with no more assurances than they had in 2002.

"Once we get into the tournament, it's a whole new thing," Kazee said.

The Bulldogs join the defending state champion Gaels as favorites in the Sunset tournament. Kazee is concerned about the tough competition from the Southwest Division, which appears stronger from top to bottom than the Northwest.

Centennial (NW-1) avoided some key injuries at midseason to stay on course for a division title and Kazee is proud of that fact.

"We're playing about as well as we can be right now," Kazee said.

Even that may not be enough against the powerful Gorman (SW-1) team. Senior Mike Zaher, likely the state's best player, is a one-man show that, combined with solid goalkeeping, puts Bishop Gorman in the top tier.

"Mike Zaher's a kid that can win a game," Kazee said. "You've got to kind of give (Bishop Gorman) a nod."

The Bulldogs open against Sierra Vista (SW-4), while the Gaels face Cheyenne (NW-4) in the first round.

"Our team experience might give us an edge, at least against Sierra Vista," Kazee said.

In the Sunrise playoffs, Southeast Division champion Coronado (SE-1) is regarded as the top threat to take the title. Green Valley (SE-2), Valley (NE-1), and Desert Pines (NE-2) make up the remainder of the expected contenders from the east side of town.

The semifinals of each region take place Thursday and the championship matches are Saturday. Only the Sunrise and Sunset champions will advance to the 4A State Tournament next week in Reno.