Cheyenne finds encouragement in first meeting with Palo Verde

Nick Christensen

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004 | 9:46 a.m.

You'd think the Cheyenne football team would be sick of this predicament. But heading into its third consecutive Sunset Conference final against Palo Verde, the Desert Shields are more confident than ever.

"We're excited about playing football," coach Charles Anthony said. "Anytime you can be one of the four teams playing, it means a lot."

But it's more than just that for Cheyenne. Three weeks ago, Cheyenne's regular season ended at Palo Verde in a game the Shields controlled until a tipped ball late in the game led to a 35-32 Panthers comeback win. It also gave Palo Verde the Northwest Division title.

It was by far the closest game the undefeated Panthers have played this year, and was the first loss of the season for Cheyenne, and has the Desert Shields believing they can win Friday's conference championship game.

"It makes us hungry. They beat us there, and we want to come back and beat them in the championship game in the conference," Cheyenne defensive back Evon Buhecker said. "We've got to go out and like we normally do, play the game and leave it on the field."

Anthony, who is in his first year at Cheyenne after coaching at Western, said he's familiar with the two teams' history. Last year, Palo Verde moved on to the state semifinals after blanking Cheyenne 31-0. The year before, Palo Verde edged the Shields 28-14.

Both times, Palo Verde lost in the state semifinals.

"I've been in the stands watching these two teams for the last two years," Anthony said. "These kids have been here before. They moved up as sophomores. It's time for them to go out and play. We're not nervous. Palo and Cheyenne have been at it for some years. It's a normal game."

But it's a normal game that comes after two sluggish starts for the Desert Shields. Two weeks ago, Cheyenne had a tough time firing up against a struggling Sierra Vista team in the Sunset quarterfinals, and was down 7-0 in last week's double overtime win at Bishop Gorman before scoring in the final minute of regulation to tie it.

"The kids know the game plan. It's a hard football conference," Anthony said. "As it goes in this conference, nobody fears no one. Some of these conference games are so close, nobody's afraid of anyone."

But, Palo Verde's 35 points were the most anyone's scored on Cheyenne this year. When talking about dealing with Palo Verde's double-wing offense, Anthony's tune sounded familiar.

"All the sudden, guys are breaking out, and you don't know where the ball is," he said. "All you can do is play hard and get as many guys to the ball as you can.

Cheyenne running back Torrie Coleman said he thinks ball control is the key.

"These are two good teams coming in. Whoever has one fumble, one interception could change the whole game," he said. "They're two good teams, and one mistake changes the game."

But, Coleman added that he's confident of what the outcome will be.

"Our offense is definitely shaping up," he said. "We've been working real hard this week. We're going to get it done and worry about next week at state."

Cheyenne Desert Shields

RECORD: 9-2, 4-1 Northwest.

POINTS FOR: 280 (43 ppg).

POINTS AGAINST: 149 (10.1 ppg).

HEAD COACH: Charles Anthony.

Playoff leaders

Passing: Quentin Carter (6-for-28, 49 yards)

Receiving: Marcus Kennard (2 receptions, 19 yards)

Rushing: Torrie Coleman (63 carries, 252 yards)

Rank reflects opponent's standing in state poll week of game. Record reflects team's final regular season record.

QF -- Region quarterfinal. SF -- Region semifinal.