FIELDER’S CHOICES: Didn’t expect these three to be unbeaten

Seven weeks deep in the high school football season and only three undefeated Class 4A teams remain in Southern Nevada.

And if you tell me that at the start of the year you predicted Bishop Gorman, Legacy and Del Sol would be those three, you’re a great liar.

Gorman, sure. That’s a given.

Legacy, maybe, but it would have been tough to pick the Longhorns to beat Palo Verde.

Del Sol. Um, no. Not after having to almost completely rebuild that team. Del Sol coach Preston Goroff should get some kind of award. Absolutely amazing.

And I keep picking against him. So what does that say about me?

It says I need to make better picks.

After an awful year last year, Canyon Springs is back in the Northeast League title hunt, thanks in part to the running of Deavin Rimmey and the throwing arm of Tyler Ward, who tossed for 252 yards last week.

But if first-year coach Hunkie Cooper’s Pioneers are to win the Northeast, the road is the same, and it still goes through Las Vegas.

The Wildcats were without quarterback Hasaan Henderson last week but didn’t need him in a 56-6 win over Chaparral.

Las Vegas is expected to be closer to full strength this week. Hasaan chop … I love cartoons. Las Vegas by 10.

Seven days after the biggest win in school history, the Longhorns are headed to Cheyenne, which could go a long way toward cementing a playoff spot.

 

Legacy was better — way better — than I thought it could be last week in making the impossible reality against Palo Verde.

Coming back down to Earth in time to prepare for the Desert Shields is huge, though.

Cheyenne presents problems with its offense because any of four players can throw.

The Desert Shields are unpredictable. But this game isn’t. Legacy by 4.

Just when you think you’ve figured out the Southeast League, Del Sol blindsides Silverado and makes the league anyone’s guess again.

Silverado doesn’t seem to be able to throw well when it falls behind, so when it does get down, it’s tough to come back.

If Terran Madu-Jules gets off to a good start, though, it’s even harder to catch the Skyhawks.

Liberty had a great start to the season, but this may be the last chance, and it’s not Patriots Day. Silverado by 6.

Good news for Western: The players who were suspended for last week’s game against Sierra Vista are expected back.

Bad news for Western: Um … you’re going to Gorman.

The Warriors’ lone win of the season (the fight was scored as a no contest, by the way) came against Pahrump Valley in Western’s opener. Western doesn’t get to play Pahrump twice, so there likely won’t be a second win.

Gorman has outscored its six Nevada opponents 315-17 and has allowed a total of 31 points in its seven games this season. Shaquille Powell and Victor Belen have 31 touchdowns combined for the Gaels.

This won’t be pretty. Gorman by TKO in the second round. Er, um … Gorman by 54.

 

Palo Verde doesn’t lose regular-season games. OK, maybe once in a great while.

 

There’s a giant alarm clock in the Panthers’ locker room. It has been ringing since Friday night.

The Aggies are in a must-win situation to keep any playoff hopes alive and need big games on the ground from DeMarlo Virgil and Thomas Flanagan.

Palo Verde doesn’t lose consecutive regular-season games. Palo Verde by 12.

 

Desert Oasis is so close to the playoffs at this point, the Diamondbacks can taste it.

Whoever did the schedule couldn’t have been nicer to Desert Oasis, which has the equivalent of a three-week victory lap starting with this game. The other two are home games against Sierra Vista and Western.

If Brennan Stott and the Snakes come to play, they’re in.

Remember Pahrump Valley’s last win? It was the season opener … last season. Desert Oasis by 20.

If you read my pick for Thursday’s game (and if you didn’t, I won’t play with you anymore), you saw what I had to say about the Henderson Bowl — it doesn’t matter what the records are when it’s a rivalry game.

Whew. Because otherwise this just wouldn’t be good.

Merlin Olsen’s cleat is up for grabs. And my only hope is that it doesn’t get fumbled.

Seriously, though, this one could be a confidence booster for the winning team. That last playoff spot in the Northeast still is up for grabs.

Chaparral won the cleat last year. Good enough for me. Chaparral by 1.

It’s the middle of October, and now, finally, the Class 3A Southern League opens play.

One league game per week for three weeks. That’s a league.

The Pirates have beaten consecutive Class 4A opponents (Rancho and Foothill) by 32 points apiece.

Boulder City also has two straight wins against 4A teams (Faith Lutheran and Eldorado) by smaller margins.

Look for another big game from Kelan Weiss as the Pirates reach the halfway point of their potential league title jog. Moapa Valley by 7.
Last week: 7-2 (overall), 6-3 (with points).
Season: 46-15 (overall), 43-18 (with points).