FIELDER’S CHOICES: Inconsistent slate can’t slow my roll
One thing has been consistent so far in the high school football season.
No, it’s not the schedule.
One week, the games are on Friday, then they’re on Saturday, now this week, they’re on Thursday. How am I supposed to remember this?
And on top of that, now I have two weekend nights with nothing to do and no date. Ugh.
What has been consistent, though, is me going 7-1 every week. That’s 21-3 to start the year.
I’d better enjoy it now, because we know it’s going to end — and probably soon.
League play starts on the right side of town Thursday.
I’m taking Las Vegas to win the Northeast. I know, big stretch.
The Wildcats got taken behind the woodshed in Utah last weekend, but I don’t see them losing again before the postseason.
In the Southeast, it’ll be a great battle. I really like Basic, but I’m not sure anyone can stop Silverado.
No more run left, run right, run middle, punt for the Skyhawks. Mixing things up should put them back on top.
Liberty (1-1) at Silverado (2-0)
Hey, the TV people got one right. The week’s best game, and it’s on for some to see.
The Skyhawks exploded for 89 points in their first two games. Izaiah Thurmon has five touchdowns. Silverado threw for 199 yards — in a game, not a season.
But here comes the first big test. The Patriots scared the daylights out of Palo Verde and then beat up on Spring Valley. They’re not bad on offense, either.
Liberty has a tough start to Southeast play, having to face Silverado, Del Sol and Basic the first three weeks. I don’t see it starting well. Silverado by 4.
Faith Lutheran (2-0, 1-0) at Cimarron-Memorial (1-1, 1-0)
Faith Lutheran’s home win over Legacy was the only red-pen mark on my record last weekend.
The Crusaders didn’t let Legacy control the clock and rode Joe Portaro’s arm to a big early-season win.
Meanwhile, Cimarron proved it’s nowhere near as mediocre as it looked in Week 1, shredding Cheyenne.
If the Crusaders’ passing game is anywhere close to accurate, they’ll go to 2-0 in the league. And they will. Faith Lutheran by 7.
Foothill (3-0) at Green Valley (1-2)
I’ll be the first to admit Foothill hasn’t exactly run the gauntlet this year.
But Kyle Keplinger and the Falcons have put up 132 points in three games. The Falcons’ real tests are still a couple of weeks away.
One week after allowing Centennial to come back and beat them, the Gators rallied from 22 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Rancho on a James Durbin field goal.
Rancho isn’t Foothill. Foothill by 10.
Palo Verde (3-0, 1-0) at Centennial (2-1, 0-1)
It’s hard not to think that Centennial’s yearly slide might have started in the second half last weekend when Arbor View came alive to beat the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have double incentive this week. One, stopping the slide before it becomes an avalanche; and two, stopping former teammate Brandon Wright.
Wright has been just that for Palo Verde, scoring nine touchdowns in three games. He’ll get a couple more this week. Palo Verde by 12.
Las Vegas (2-1) at Desert Pines (0-2)
The Wildcats got one giant wake-up call last week in Utah — which really isn’t a good place to wake up.
Las Vegas scored first, but suffered a 51-7 come-from-ahead loss to Mountain Crest.
Hasaan Henderson should be ready to chop up the Jaguars, who have only 12 points to their names this season.
This won’t be pretty and probably won’t be close. Las Vegas by 21.
Bonanza (0-2, 0-1) at Desert Oasis (2-1, 1-0)
If you were to pick a team to give up 74 points in a Southwest League game this year, Bonanza shouldn’t have been your choice.
But when you give up 756 yards in a game, you’re going to give up a few points.
The Bengals have no time to lick any wounds, though; this game could easily have playoff implications.
The Diamondbacks have feasted on two bad teams (Western and Valley) and got blanked by Silverado. Bonanza is somewhere in the middle of those extremes.
Last one with the ball wins. Desert Oasis by 4.
Sierra Vista (1-2, 1-0) at Bishop Gorman (2-1, 1-0)
Gorman has a huge match up with De La Salle (Calif.) next week and can’t afford to look past the Mountain Lions.
You can stop laughing now — I’m not serious.
Shaquille Powell and the Gaels barely broke a sweat in beating Clark last week.
Sierra Vista found its first points of the year at Pahrump. The Lions had better cherish those. They may not see any this week. Gorman by 42.
Spring Valley (1-1, 0-0) at Western (1-1, 0-1)
The Grizzlies need a shot of confidence after getting thumped by Liberty last week.
Austin Wallace and his Spring Valley teammates should get that confidence this week at Western.
The Warriors scored only 14 points against Sunrise Mountain and six last week against Desert Oasis.
Not that Spring Valley’s offense has been lighting up any scoreboards, but this is an easy call. Spring Valley by 16.
Last week: 7-1 (overall), 6-2 (with points)
Season: 21-3 (overall), 17-7 (with points)
Season: 21-3 (overall), 17-7 (with points)