Surprises, if not upsets, start it off

Nick Christensen

Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

Technically, there were no upsets in this weekend's 4A football playoffs. Statewide, every higher seed won its regional quarterfinal match.

But there were surprises.

Two top-10 teams, Eldorado from the Sunrise Region and Bishop Manogue from the Northern Region, lost first-round games. And Bonanza, which got the second seed in the Southwest despite a 5-4 finish, not only hosted its first playoff game in recent memory but went on to beat Shadow Ridge.

The Bengals survived a late drive and a missed 37-yard field goal to win 29-28.

"Our defensive coordinator put in a ton of time because (Shadow Ridge) runs so much stuff," first-year Bengals coach Jay Weinman said Sunday. "He (Ryan Benson) prepared those kids as well as he could. It seemed like they never ran the same play twice."

Bonanza advances to face second-ranked Palo Verde (10-0) in the Sunset semifinals.

"They're just starting to click," Wildcats coach Chris Faircloth said. "The kids are doing a real good job. We're really happy with how focused they've become."

Running back Eric Jordan led Las Vegas with 133 yards on 24 carries.

The Northeast's second seed, Valley, held on despite penalties to defeat Coronado 20-7.

Las Vegas will host Silverado Friday night at Frank Nails Field, and Valley will travel to Henderson to take on Foothill.

Eldorado coach Frank DeSantis said the Sundevils' tough schedule took its toll.

"After being in so many close games, we got a little worn down," he said.

Silverado will travel to Las Vegas on Friday for its first regional semifinal.

On the other side of Henderson, Foothill quashed Desert Pines' late-season resurgence with a 56-6 victory.

Foothill (11-0) plays host to Valley in the other Sunrise semifinal. The winner of the Sunrise championship game travels to Reno to face the Northern Region champion.

Bishop Gorman won despite several penalties, two key turnovers, and the loss of quarterback Craig Sedoris, who aggravated the collarbone he broke in September.

Sierra Vista turned the ball over twice inside its own 30 early in the second half, and Cheyenne was able to roll off a 20-7 lead. Sierra Vista came back to 20-14 with under three minutes to go, but was unable to recover an onside kick that led to a final Cheyenne score.

Cheyenne travels to Valley on Friday to take on Bishop Gorman. In the final Sunset quarterfinal, No. 2 Palo Verde (10-0) beat Western 27-0 to advance to Friday's semifinal against Bonanza.

Virgin Valley starting quarterback Tyler Thurston was injured in the Bulldogs' finale against Moapa Valley, but returned to guide his team to the victory.

Virgin Valley will face 8-1 Truckee at Truckee on Saturday.

In the other 3A South playoff, Moapa Valley beat Pahrump Valley 45-28. The Pirates will host 9-2 Spring Creek on Saturday.