Cimarron-Memorial to rely on newcomers to keep playoff streak alive

By Case Keefer (contact)

Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Cimarron-Memorial will not enjoy the luxury of easing into the season.

The Spartans, a senior-loaded squad a year ago, will start as many as 18 new players. Those new starters will have no time to take it easy and get acclimated to playing varsity football.

In the opening game of the Southern Nevada football season on Aug. 26 Cimarron goes to Las Vegas High for a marquee non-region battle.

“Vegas is one of the elite programs in the state,” Cimarron coach Rod Vollan said. “They’ve got great kids and great coaching, so it’s a privilege to get to play them in the first game.”

Cimarron has made the playoffs an astounding 15 years in a row, but this season appears to be their biggest challenge yet.

The only returning players with significant experience are running back and linebacker Christian Brown, tight end and linebacker A.J. Morrison and offensive lineman Attwood Duncan.

“We feel we have some talented athletes, but they just weren’t as good as the seniors that played last year,” Vollan said. “It’s their turn this year to step up and fill the void left by that senior group. We’re looking forward for the opportunity of them rising to the challenge.”

The Spartans do have a proven winner at quarterback. Junior Gerard Martinez, who won a 2A state championship at the Meadows in 2008, takes over and his speed could be dangerous for opposing defenses.

Asked whom he thought would step up on defense, Vollan rattled off almost 10 different players. They included defensive back Brian Dover, linebacker Eric Morgan, defensive lineman Joe Zachary and defensive end Quinton Alexander.

“We have the good fortune of having that physically tough tradition at Cimarron-Memorial and it really impacts the younger kids,” Vollan said. “As coaches, we’re the caretakers of the program and we want to continue that tradition so we place a great of emphasis on that in practice.”

Cimarron will need its trademark physicality as it has arguably the toughest schedule in the state. In addition to the Las Vegas showdown and the annual slate of Northwest divisional play, Cimarron also takes on Liberty late in the season.

To extend the playoff streak to 16 years, Cimarron’s youngsters will need to grow up fast.

“The bad thing is they didn’t get much varsity playing time last year,” Vollan said. “The good thing is they practiced every day against last year’s varsity team, so they had no choice but to get better or get beat up everyday.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or case.keefer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.