Columnist Nick Christensen: Finally, the answers to all my prep questions

Nick Christensen

Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 | 9:47 a.m.

Nick Christensen covers high school athletics for the Sun. Reach him at (702) 259-4085 or by e-mail at nick.christensen@lasvegassun.com.

A mystery package arrived at my office on Wednesday.

Inside was an 8-ball, with a note that said "The answers to all your prep questions lie in here."

I said to the 8-ball, "Do you have any hidden white powdery substances?"

"My reply is no" popped up in the bluish window.

Alrighty then. I put it away, saving it for Thursday when I had to think about picks for tonight's games. Another awful week last week -- not counting Vegas, which always wins when I pick them to lose, I had some key poor picks -- Palo Verde lost, Eldorado got back on track and what is wrong with Bonanza?

We're running out of prep columns over here -- next Friday will be the last -- so I decided to ask some tough questions of the 8-ball about the rest of the 2005 season.

Will Foothill go undefeated?

"Signs point to yes."

I agree. The Falcons have been unbelievable this year, and their toughest Southeast Division opponents have stumbled early, looking very vulnerable. Even without DeAngelo Jones, Foothill's offense runs over teams like The Blob. Keep ringing' that bell, kids.

Will Clark go winless?

"Reply hazy, try again."

Smart-aleck.

Can Eldorado stay back on track?

"It is decidedly so."

Figure this. Even in a worst-case scenario, coaches generally come in in late July, giving them a month to prepare their team and have players adjust. Frank Tousa is approaching his one-month anniversary, and while the Sundevils were lucky to escape with a win "at" Rancho last week, they still scored 36 points. Look for another third-seed in the Northeast, but that's a lot prettier than things started to look this year.

Will Clark go winless?

"My reply is no."

If Bonanza's as bad as it played last week -- and I don't think it is -- and Spring Valley is as bad as it has been in the past -- I think it is -- then I would tend to agree with the 8-ball. The Chargers' losing streak, now at 25 games, will end this year. So says the 8-ball. It's always right.

Will a Sunset Region team take the field at Mackay Stadium in December?

"Outlook not so good."

Although the Sunset gets two berths in the state semifinals this year, one has to go north for the semifinals (very hard) and the other has to play the Sunrise in the other semifinal (very hard). The region with 50 percent of the teams, in my eyes, has a 25 percent chance of "Goin' to da ships," as the kids say.

That's too much intense shaking for one afternoon. But with next week's Grand Prep Column Finale looming next week, e-mail your questions to nick@lasvegassun.com. I'll give the 8-ball a good shake for ya and print some answers to The Big Mysteries of Life in next Friday's paper.

Now onto the important stuff, like picking tonight's games. All kick off at 7 p.m.

Liberty at Basic

Everyone I've talked to this year has been impressed with Basic's offense, despite its not showing up well in the win column. Liberty's going to have to wait a while to get a "2" in the win column.

THE CALL: Basic 28, Liberty 21

Silverado at Coronado

Both have shown improvement, but Silverado's learning curve has been a more sizable gradient. A close one, but the Skyhawks should win the Battle of the South Valley.

THE CALL: Silverado 27, Coronado 24

Foothill at Del Sol

Dragons coach Preston Goroff faces his former team for the first time. Even without DeAngelo Jones, I can't see the results of this one being pretty.

THE CALL: Foothill 42, Del Sol 14

Las Vegas at Eldorado

Will the Sundevils' win last week snowball into an avalanche of victories? Not likely, with red-hot Vegas rolling through. Of course, the Sun is now 1-7 in picking the past eight Wildcats games.

THE CALL: Las Vegas 37, Eldorado 14

Canyon Springs at Valley

Just when the Pioneers got some chemistry going, they run into a well-coached, overachieving Valley team. Sounds a lot like last year, when the Vikings took second in the Northeast Division.

THE CALL: Valley 44, Canyon Springs 21

Desert Pines at Chaparral

The Cowpokes have played a lot of close games this year, coming up on the L-end in all of them. The Jaguars haven't played any close games this year, coming up on the L-end of all of them. These games hurt now, but they really are character builders for future seasons' success. If you succeed without getting it wrong first, did you really learn anything?

THE CALL: Chaparral 24, Desert Pines 14

Spring Valley at Clark

Wow, the Grizzlies caught me off-guard last week. That's a totally diffeent team from the one that struggled through its opening two weeks. We can't pick against Spring Valley after a game like the Bonanza game, right?

THE CALL: Spring Valley 21, Clark 18

Bishop Gorman at Durango

The Southwest Division's top rivalry takes center stage in Spring Valley as the Gaels ride the confidence boost of last week's win against Palo Verde.

THE CALL: Bishop Gorman 45, Durango 14

Western at Sierra Vista

The Warriors are on the brink of being a Top-10 team in Nevada. The Mountain Lions had a great game against Clark last week, but Western's no Clark. Erm, Clark's no Western.

THE CALL: Western 37, Sierra Vista 13

Centennial at Bonanza

Two surprising reversals of fortune -- Centennial is tied for second in its division at 3-1 and Bonanza lost its league opener -- to a second-year school.

THE CALL: Centennial 27, Bonanza 7

Cimarron-Memorial at Green Valley

The 4A game of the week, the Spartans get their best local test -- counting out a Silverado team that had yet to flip the switch. Green Valley is limping home on a two-game losing streak, and is sure to be fired up to play an undefeated team.

THE CALL: Green Valley 26, Cimarron 24

Mojave vs. Rancho at Canyon Springs

Hopefully the field at Canyon Springs won't be flooded this year for the Rams' "homecoming." Rancho's on the brink of becoming something formidable. Maybe this week's the week they do it?

THE CALL: Rancho 26, Mojave 24

Pahrump Valley at Arbor View

Maybe. Word earlier this week was that there were construction issues plaguing the Aggies' home field, leaving this game as questionable. We'll pick it anyway.

THE CALL: Pahrump Valley 36, Arbor View 20

Shadow Ridge at Galena

The North's Grizzlies -- up where they don't actually have Grizzlies but they do have real bears -- come in with an impressive 2-1 record, the loss coming to No. 1 McQueen. Shadow Ridge will need to have corrected its line problems and pass the ball more to have a shot.

THE CALL: Shadow Ridge 28, Galena 21

OFF THE UPRIGHTS: Moapa Valley at Boulder City, Faith Lutheran at Virgin Valley.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Bishop Manogue at Churchill County, Elko at Reed, McQueen at Spanish Springs, Wooster at North Valleys, Carson at Hug, Reno at South Tahoe.

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