FIELDER’S CHOICES: Practice makes perfect prognostication

Timing really is everything.

Just two days before my psychic text line started burning up satellites, I went 8-0 picking last Friday’s winners.

Uh-huh. Eight-for-eight.

Rumor has it I’m in the hunt for the prestigious Nevada High School Football Prognosticator of the Year award.

Farmer Brown’s magic chicken has won it the past four years, but I’ll beat that little clucker this year.

And more impressively, I correctly spelled prognosticator. Twice.

Basic (4-3, 1-2) at Foothill (7-0, 3-0)

Recent injuries have derailed Basic, which has lost three of its past four games. Instead of fighting for the Southeast League title, the Wolves will have to scrap just to get into the playoffs.

On the subject of injuries, Foothill might be without star running back Connor Afoa for a while.

I have yet to see Foothill in person, but I’ve been feeling a little bored lately, so I might go tonight just to see how exciting Afoa’s backup, Miles Killebrew, can be.

A Foothill-Liberty showdown for the league title next week is too good to pick against. Foothill by 4.

Faith Lutheran (4-2, 2-2) at Centennial (4-3, 2-3)

Most offenses in Las Vegas are one-dimensional — run, run and run some more.

Not Faith Lutheran’s. Led by Joe Portaro, the pass-first Crusaders have mixed in the run a bit more lately and are averaging almost 35 points per game.

This is a must-win for Centennial if the Bulldogs want to keep their playoff hopes alive. And the Bulldogs can’t afford to give up anything close to 35 and still have a chance.

Keeping the clock moving by having Jacobi Owens and Taj Cole run should help. Centennial by 6.

Las Vegas (6-1, 4-0) at Rancho (3-4, 2-2)

I have no idea who Sir Herkimer is, but if I ever see the dude, I’m having my picture taken with him.

Las Vegas and Rancho renew their rivalry with the bone named for the Herk on the line.

It hasn’t been much of a rivalry lately.

Las Vegas has won the past 14 Bone Games on the field (and had to forfeit one of those). Farrell Victor will make it 15. Las Vegas by 21.

Spring Valley (3-3, 2-2) at Bishop Gorman (5-2, 4-0)

The Grizzlies lit up Bonanza’s defense last week in a TV game that barely ended before Friday’s classes started.

Jordan Cox and his teammates won’t have it as easy this week.

As ridiculous as it sounds, Gorman might be able to play with a few cardboard cutouts on the field and still win.

The rest of the team is that good.

Picking against Gorman in any game for the rest of this season would be insane. And I’m not that crazy. Gorman by 24.

Coronado (2-4, 1-3) at Liberty (5-1, 4-0)

Liberty has one mission this week — don’t look ahead.

The Patriots have a potential showdown for first with Foothill next week, but they’ll have to get through the Cougars first.

Christopher Johnson and the Cougars stunned Basic four weeks ago, but haven’t won since.

Liberty should keep that streak alive. Liberty by 14.

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

Speaking of streaks, once upon a time, Clark had a 42-game losing streak.

Pahrump is quickly closing in.

Since beating Mountain View to open the 2008 season, the Trojans have gone 0-24 and have been outscored 963-204.

It may not change any time soon.

Derrick West and Chris Jackson will spend a lot of time in the end zone. Clark by 30.

Cheyenne (2-3, 1-3) at Shadow Ridge (2-4, 0-4)

The Desert Shields almost handed Arbor View its first loss of the year several times last week before falling in four overtimes.

The tough part of the schedule is behind Cheyenne, which could win out and make the playoffs.

Shadow Ridge has shown it isn’t as good as its 2-0 start made some people believe. The Mustangs also aren’t as bad as the 0-4 stretch they’re in now.

Tyler Spight will be the difference-maker. Cheyenne by 8.

Agassi Prep (4-1, 4-0) at The Meadows (4-2, 4-0)

If there were an important Class 2A regular season game, this would be it.

The Meadows has won the past two state titles, though to some, it feels more like seven.

Led by DeVonn Porter, the Stars are a factor in 2A for the first time in ... well, ever.

Quarterback Garrett Gosse will keep the Mustangs on top until someone knocks them off.

And it’s not happening yet. The Meadows by 12.
Last week: 8-0. Yep, look it up. (overall); 5-3 (with points).
Overall: 49-7 (overall); 38-18 (with points).