Foothill, Cimarron crack the Sun’s top 10 rankings

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011 | 2 a.m.

If we learned anything last week during the first installment of high school football for the 2011 season, it’s that anything can happen.

That anything was a shocking upset by Bonanza, rallying late to beat Silverado 30-29 and knock the respected Southeast Division team out of the top 10. Bonanza wasn’t expected by many to win the game — well, except by the players themselves.

That’s a win they will surely use as momentum the rest of the season. After all, it’s still August and there is plenty of football left.

Foothill and Cimarron-Memorial each had impressive opening night wins, pushing both programs into the Sun's rankings.

1. Bishop Gorman (1-1): Gorman’s 20-17 setback to Florida power Armwood High does nothing to alter its local ranking. The two-time defending state champion Gaels have only been defeated once by a local opponent in the regular season since 2006. Up next: Friday vs. Desert Oasis.

2. Palo Verde (1-0): Palo Verde’s shutout victory over Canyon Springs to open the season showed the perennial power Panthers will again be in the hunt. After Thursday’s showdown with Northwest Division rival Arbor View, you could argue the Panthers won’t be challenged the remainder of the regular season. Up next: Thursday vs. Arbor View

3. Del Sol (1-0): Don’t let Del Sol’s tough first half last week against Rancho fool you. Del Sol was extremely unlucky early against a Rancho team that is better than most people think. Outscoring Rancho 25-6 in the second half is a better indication of the talent on Del Sol’s roster. Up next: Sept. 9 vs. Eldorado

4. Arbor View (1-0): Talk about making an early season statement. Arbor View’s 47-26 victory last week over Liberty showed the Aggies are around to stay. Up next: Thursday at Palo Verde.

5. Las Vegas High (1-0): Sure, Las Vegas has several first-time varsity players at key positions. But they also have two of the valley’s top athletes in quarterback Hasaan Henderson and running back Farrell Victor. In a season opening victory last week over Snow Canyon of Utah, Victor rushed for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns, and Henderson had nearly 200 yards of total offense and a touchdown run. With the talented duo taking over the game, Las Vegas’ younger players will have a chance to develop. Don’t count out the Wildcats out. Up next: Friday at Centennial.

6. Centennial (0-0): The Bulldogs return several players from last year’s Sunset Regional semifinal qualifying team. They will be tested Friday in their opener. Up next: Friday vs. Las Vegas High

7. Cimarron-Memorial(1-0): The Spartans had success in the ground game against Basic, riding Palo Verde transfer Demaryae Williams’ 100-plus rushing yards and two touchdowns to an opening night win. More important, the Spartans resembled the team that used to be a perennial power. Up next: Friday vs. Mojave

8. Foothill (1-0): The Falcons were downright impressive in beating Durango to open the season. Senior Kyle Keplinger showed he is capable of scoring each time he touches the ball and sophomore quarterback Drew Doxtator had three touchdowns passes in his debut. Up next: Friday vs. Canyon Springs.

9. Liberty (0-1): Liberty disappointed last week in its season opener against Arbor View, being exposed defensively and committing several untimely mistakes. Despite the bad performance, the defending Sunrise Regional champions are still one of the area’s top teams. Up next: Friday vs. Desert Pines

10. Desert Oasis (0-0): An appearance in the top-10 will likely be a one-week affair for the Diamondbacks, considering their opening night opponent. But they do return several from last year’s team that lost just one game in Southwest Division play. Up next: Friday at Bishop Gorman

OUT: Desert Pines, Canyon Springs and Silverado. All three opened last week with defeats, including Silverado being upset 30-29 by Bonanza. Ouch.