Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007 | 7:37 a.m.
Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene - and who's getting the shaft.
Rancho High football:
After practicing at a public park the past couple of years where they kicked field goals at cottonwood trees en route to losing 17 consecutive games, the Rams moved into their new football stadium two weeks ago and are 2-0. "There's no place like a home field," Rancho coach Gary Maki said while clicking the heels of his ruby red coaching shoes.
UNLV football:
After setting college football back by about 80 years with an atrocious first-half performance at Utah State, the Rebels strapped on their leather helmets at halftime and somehow managed to pull out a 23-16 victory and end a 15- game road losing streak. They also gave Michigan a bright idea about whom to schedule for next year's season opener.
Travis Dixon:
The UNLV redshirt freshman quarterback won't make anybody forget John Elway with his passing arm. But at least he can run the quarterback draw. Again and again and again and again and ...
Local oddsmakers:
UNLV was favored by 7 points at Utah State and won by that. It was almost as if the sports book guys knew that the Rebels were going to rally in the second half. But don't ask me how they knew Mike Sanford was going to go for one instead of two after the Rebels took a 15-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
Price to watch a blowout:
After charging just $10 to watch Team USA blow out somebody in the meaningless opening rounds of FIBA Americans Championship shootaround - er, Olympic basketball qualifying tournament - at the Thomas & Mack Center , organizers charged $1,200 for a downstairs seat to watch Team USA blow out somebody else in the meaningless semifi nal round. Don't tell Mick Jagger and Keith Richards that somebody actually paid face value.
Price to watch a blowout II:
Although it costs just $90 for a UNLV football season ticket, single - game tickets for Saturday's game against No. 7 Wisconsin cost $60. I guess UNLV didn't get word that Crazy Legs Hirsch used up his eligibility and won't be playing.
DeMarco Murray:
The former Bishop Gorman standout scored fi ve touchdowns in Oklahoma's 79-10 rout of North Texas. A familiar face at Gorman kept a running tally on the sidelines while making sure the wires to Bob Stoops' headset didn't get tangled. Ex-Gorman coach David White is one of the Sooners' graduate assistants.
Ron Kantowski can be reached at 259-4088 or at ron@ lasvegassun.com.
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