Cimarron grinds out win in league opener

Cimarron-Memorial found its running game to be its best defense in opening Southwest League play with a 27-20 win at Desert Oasis on Friday night.

The Spartans (3-2, 1-0 Southwest) allowed the Diamondbacks 161 yards passing in the first half. But they limited Desert Oasis (1-4, 0-1) to two second-half completions for 25 yards, before a late desperation drive, mostly by keeping possession of the ball with a bruising ground attack.

“We’re going to play smashmouth football, and when it comes down to it, I’ve got faith in our guys,” Cimarron coach John Parcells said. “I have no problem putting it on their backs wherever we’re at on the field.

“Against a tough opponent like Desert Oasis in the first league game, we need a victory, and I’m going to keep the ball and put it on the offense’s back and they responded outstanding.”

Cimarron took over the ball at its 6-yard line on their second drive of the third quarter and methodically moved the ball down the field before Desert Oasis’ Blake Kutz came up with an interception and ran it back to the Cimarron 41. The Spartans forced Kutz to fumble at the end of the run, however, and Cimarron’s Justin Davis recovered.

The Spartans’ offense picked up where it left off, and Michael Barnson scored the go-ahead touchdown on an 8-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.

“We talk about dealing with adversity and having a short memory,” Parcells said. “That was a great hustle play on the interception, and we get on the fumble.

“It ended up being about a 25-play drive all told, and our guys put it behind them and took it down the field another 50-some yards and scored after driving three-fourths of the way down the field, losing it and losing a bunch of yardage.

“We got right back to executing.”

After forcing a three-and-out, Cimarron chewed up another four minutes on a 56-yard drive that included two short fourth-down conversions by Desean Lewis and was capped by Lewis’ third touchdown of the game that extended the Spartans’ lead to 27-14.

Lewis also recorded a sack on the Desert Oasis series between the touchdowns and recovered an onside kick with 32 seconds remaining after the Diamondbacks had scored a touchdown.

“I just do what I can for my team and try to do whatever I can do on every play,” said Lewis, who finished with 149 yards on 23 carries. “This was our first league game, and we needed a win. I was ready for whatever it took.”

Davis added 178 rushing yards for the Spartans.

Desert Oasis grabbed a 14-13 halftime lead by showcasing its aerial arsenal. Herman Smith completed 11 of 14 passes for 124 yards and a score before the break, and Jordan Compehos threw a pass on a reverse for a 37-yard touchdown to a wide-open Marvin Duty.

Duty caught 12 passes for 140 yards, including nine for 110 in the first half. Compehos caught two 15-yard scoring passes from Smith, who finished with 208 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Parcells knew the importance of the win for Cimarron, which has Bishop Gorman on deck.

“It means we’re 1-0 in league, and every league win is important. These are the ones that matter,” he said. “To get back to the playoffs, you’ve got to win league games. Plus, we’re 2-0 on the road now, and I couldn’t be more proud of that.”