FIELDER’S CHOICES: Stuck with me again
Thought I went away?
Tried to forget about me?
Not happening.
Yep. It’s me. I’m back for another year. In fact, from what I was told when I stopped by the Nevadapreps.com office last week, I may never leave. Please, hold the applause.
The 2010 football season kicks off for real tonight — before school even starts. And that’s a good thing because it means I haven’t missed a class yet.
It also means I haven’t missed a pick yet. I wonder which streak will last longer.
Legacy at Spring Valley
That’s defending Northwest League-champion Legacy to you.
But it’s also one-starter-back-on-offense-and-two-back-on-defense Legacy.
More than 3,000 yards of total offense graduated, leaving L.J. McMorris and a bunch of unknowns to pick up the slack for the Longhorns.
Spring Valley has a new coach — Marcus Teal in, Kelly Murphy out — and quarterback — Jordan Cox replaces Anton Stallworth. I’m expecting the Grizzlies to be pretty fired up.
Here’s hoping officials make it to Spring Valley for the season opener. That’s always a toss up. So is this game. Spring Valley by 2.
Durango at Del Sol
Julio Mora show, Take two.
Durango’s running back gained 1,785 yards and ran for 27 touchdowns last year. Think he might be the focal point of opposing defenses?
Chase Roberts is back at quarterback for the Trailblazers and will throw just enough to keep defenses honest.
Del Sol has half its starters back from a team that finished second in the state, but lost receiver Evan Weinstock and running back Dezerick Reed.
The Dragons always seem to lose everybody every year and still get back in the hunt in the Sunrise Region; why should this year be any different? Del Sol by 4.
Palo Verde at Green Valley
It only seems like this is the first year that Palo Verde starts a season without 63 1,000-yard rushers on the team.
The Panthers do have one — Brandon Wright, who led the team with 1,181 rushing yards and scored 21 TDs last year — but the rest of the offense isn’t as battle-tested.
Palo Verde will still run the double-wing and will still be good, though.
Green Valley hopes this is the year it gets over the hump. The Gators thought that last year, too ... and the year before that.
Giving the ball to junior running back Rakeem Griffin, who led the team with 643 yards and seven scores last year, is a good place to start.
The safest pick on the board is that a team wearing a shade of green will win. Palo Verde by 10.
Arbor View at Rancho
One of the toughest teams to figure out last year, Arbor View has just one starter back on offense and could be mysterious this year, too.
Losing your top four rushers, your quarterback and your top receivers tends to not be a good thing.
At least early on, expect a lot of running by Christian Rodriguez and Roderick Eason.
Moving the ball and finding the end zone weren’t Rancho’s strong suits last year. When you break double figures on the scoreboard three times all year, that’s not a good thing, either.
Someone scores. Someone wins. Someone is ... Arbor View by 6.
Foothill at Bonanza
Shh. Don’t tell anyone, but the best team in the Southeast might be on College Drive.
Foothill has seven starters back on offense (including quarterback Parker Riggin and top rusher Connor Afoa) and seven back on defense after advancing to the Sunrise Region semifinals.
Bonanza also brings back its quarterback — Sterling Sprau — and top runner — Dasean Martin — but not very many linemen.
Foothill just seems a little more together right now. Foothill by 7.
Desert Oasis at Valley
Last season was a breakthrough year for the Diamondbacks, who went 6-2 in Southwest League play.
A lot of those guys are gone, though, leaving a newer crew of players like juniors KamBrenn Heatley and Trevon Barnes to continue the work.
Garic Wharton graduated from Valley, putting smiles on the faces on all of the other football and track coaches in the Northeast. Desert Oasis by 12.
Clark at Centennial
Every year, I start to think Centennial will be good. And every year, Centennial ends up average at best.
Most of the top teams in the Northwest lost a lot, and this might be the Bulldogs’ chance.
Clark went 5-5 last year. Again, just in case you thought I screwed up: Clark went 5-5 last year.
But the Chargers have to make up for losing top runner Andre Clay.
I’ll give Centennial the benefit of the doubt. For now. Centennial by 3.
Boulder City at Basic
Get used to seeing 3A vs. 4A matchups almost every week. This one actually makes sense because of location and history.
Boulder City was pretty good last season, going 7-5 and winning a playoff game.
Basic was really, really good, just missing a trip to state. Always go with the really, really good team. Basic by 14.
Last week: I didn't pick the Gorman game...sorry, but I was still on break.
Last year: I really don't remember, but I think ... awesome.
