FIELDER’S CHOICES: Looking for drama? Head away from the Sunset

Normally this would be crunch time for football teams in the Sunset Region.

Two weeks to go, the scramble for playoff spots heating up.

Not so much this year.

With a lot of matchups between haves and have nots still left on the schedule, the playoff spots aren’t quite decided, but they’re close.

So I have to find my drama elsewhere or just hope that the Sunrise — which starts its playoffs a week later — has some.

In the Southwest, Gorman will be the No. 1 seed, Durango the No. 2 and Spring Valley probably No. 4.

So who does that leave slithering into the No. 3? That’d be Desert Oasis. In just its second year. Nice.

In the Northwest, the order of finish should be Legacy, Palo Verde, Cimarron-Memorial and Cheyenne, though they still could dance around a bit.

I should get those predictions right. Not so sure about these.

Legacy (8-0, 6-0 Northwest) at Centennial (3-5, 3-3)

A win in either of its last two games gives Legacy a share of its first Northwest title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Anyone expecting a letdown after the Longhorns’ win over Palo Verde got, well, let down. Legacy steamrolled Cheyenne even without leading rusher Deshae Edwards.

Martell Crockett and L.J. McMorris got to show that they’re pretty good, too.

Centennial gave Del Sol a big scare last week, but the Bulldogs have had this tragic habit of building themselves up and then letting down. Legacy by 14.

Basic (6-1, 3-1 Southeast) at Silverado (5-2, 1-2)

And while I’m on the subject of letdowns, I keep picking Silverado. And losing.

In a deja vu all over again type of thing, the Skyhawks looked really good in the offseason and now might miss the playoffs ... again.
Offensively, they have the weapons, but defenses have figured them out.

Basic, I can’t figure out. Look shaky in an overtime win against Liberty and then pound your rival.

A Silverado win here makes this league interesting. So I probably should keep picking Silverado because eventually I’ll be right. Or not. Basic by 4.

Del Sol (7-0, 3-0 Southeast) at Liberty (4-3, 2-2)

How good is Del Sol?

Good enough to be undefeated. And good enough to find ways to win.

Just look at the Dragons’ past five games. Throw out a 20-point win against Silverado and you have wins by five, seven, two and six points. They just get it done, and running back Dezerick Reed is a big part of that.

Liberty is trying for its first playoff berth on the arm of Samuel Tai and the legs of Teu Tai. This could be a stumbling block. Del Sol by 6.

Sierra Vista (1-7, 1-5 Southwest) at Desert Oasis (5-2, 4-2)

No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. I did write that Desert Oasis will make the playoffs.

The Diamondbacks deserve it. They’ve played like a playoff team most of the time. And they could finish the regular season with five straight wins.
Note to Desert Oasis: You’re new to this, so don’t fall into any bad habits the last two weeks.

This is a rivalry game, with so many former Sierra Vista students now going to Desert Oasis. And that could inspire the Mountain Lions. For a while. Desert Oasis by 9.

Pahrump Valley (0-7, 0-6 Southwest) at Clark (4-4, 2-4)

No playoff implications here, just Clark against the new Clark.

Since being shoved into Class 4A before last season, Pahrump has just one win — against Class 2A Mountain View — and might threaten Clark’s 42-game losing streak.

The Chargers would lock up a .500 season with a win here. And that’s big for Clark, which has Gorman next week. Enjoy it while you can. Clark by 12.

Desert Pines (4-3, 2-1 Northeast) at Rancho (1-6, 1-2)

Desert Pines won its opener, lost its second game and has alternated wins and losses every week since.

Given that the Jaguars won last week, what does that mean this week?

It means that streak ends. I like Desert Pines’ offense. What’s not to like about 167 points in the past five games? The defense, eh.

Rancho is in a battle to claim the Northeast’s No. 4 seed, which is either a prize or a curse. Desert Pines by 16.

Faith Lutheran (1-6, 1-5 Northwest) at Palo Verde (7-1, 5-1)

The Panthers’ first game since the death of defensive coordinator Dave Castro won’t be an easy one to play, but it’ll be nice to get back to a routine for Palo Verde.

If you think the defense won’t be inspired, think again. The person running the defense might be different, but the coach still will be watching and smiling proudly. Palo Verde by 25.

Lincoln County (5-2, 4-1 2A Southern) at The Meadows (5-1, 4-0)

Eric Rippetoe and the Lynx have been on a roll the past three weeks, outscoring the opponents 164-38, including a 112-0 run the past two weeks.

The Meadows has won four straight (should be five, but White Pine mysteriously called off a game when a couple of players were ill) but can give up points.

All signs point to a shootout here. And I’m thinking the Mustangs will have one extra bullet. The Meadows by 6.
Last week: 7-2 (overall and with points).
Season: 53-17 (overall), 50-20 (with points).