FIELDER’S CHOICES: Analyst seeks to avoid icy season

It was during my favorite episode of “The Simpsons” marathon — Homer had just devoured the hot peppers grown in a Guatemalan insane asylum at the Springfield Chili Cook-Off — when the notification popped up on my phone.

Eric tagged me in a video.

I had a feeling he gave me the ice bucket challenge. My suspicions were confirmed when I clicked on the post and saw Eric wearing a Speedo while Skeet stood on a ladder and dumped some sort of green liquid on his head.

Personally, I thought the ice bucket challenge had gone out of style like Antoine Dodson, the Harlem Shake and honey badger not giving a poop. Guess not.

When I was a sophomore, I wrote a paper for biology class about Los Gatos (Calif.) High football coach Charlie Wedemeyer, which taught me all about ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. And since I spent this summer working as a lifeguard at one of the local water parks, I clearly don’t have an aversion to wasting water.

So, I made my donation and completed the challenge, because that’s what you’re supposed to do, not just pour cold liquid on your head like Johnny Knoxville.

In case the video doesn’t get uploaded to my @FielderNVP account on Twitter, I am challenging:

■ The fog machine and giant, inflatable helmet operator(s) at Bishop Gorman.

■ My Spanish teacher.

■ All the football umpires from the Southern Nevada Officials Association. Let’s not have any 4-yard walk-offs for a false-start penalty this season, fellas.

I did pretty well with my picks last season, and I’m looking to do better this year. Who knows, maybe I’ll even start off with an undefeated week. Don’t forget to check out Nevadapreps.com for a few more picks from the opening week.

■ Eldorado at Chaparral — This is the first game for Cowboys coach Paul Nihipali, and it comes at home against his team’s biggest rival in “The Cleat Game.” That’s like taking over at Southern California and debuting against Notre Dame. Not really, but you get the drift.

The Sundevils haven’t defeated Chaparral since 2011, but coach Vernon Brown returns 15 starters and is optimistic heading into Week 1. The Cowboys also welcome back a bevy of skill players, though, which means Merlin Olsen’s footwear is staying put. … Chaparral by 3.

■ Palo Verde at Centennial — It’s nice to see an early-season showdown between two contenders in the Sunset Region. It’s that type of rugged scheduling that will prepare these teams to lose to Bishop Gorman in the playoffs.

C’mon, lighten up. We all know it’s true.

The Panthers defeated Centennial twice last season, including one game staged during a Category 5 hurricane. Both teams were hit hard by graduation, but the Bulldogs were hit harder. … Palo Verde by 4.

■ Liberty at Basic — The former Southeast League foes just couldn’t stay apart for long. The Patriots are big favorites in the Sunrise Region again and figure to return to their smashmouth roots now that quarterback Tyler Newman is gone.

That doesn’t bode well for the Wolves, who have only one starter back from last season’s defense that allowed 50 or more points four times. … Liberty by 27.

■ Bishop Gorman at Servite (Calif.) — There were a few snickers from the California media when USA Today named the Gaels the No. 1 team in the nation. This is the first chance for Gorman to quiet those Golden State naysayers, who clearly forgot about the Gaels’ 41-17 victory over Servite last year.

The Friars, ranked No. 19 in USA Today’s preseason poll, feature Oregon commit Travis Waller at quarterback and my favorite name this season: Equanimeous St. Brown. … Gorman by 7.

■ Desert Pines at Desert Oasis — This is a step up for the Jaguars, who defeated Division I opponents Bonanza and Valley last season by a combined score of 85-28.

Both of these teams were hit hard by graduation, but first-year Diamondbacks coach Marcus Sherman has two key transfers from Valley who should play pivotal roles for Desert Oasis this season. That seems a little sketchy, since Sherman was Valley’s coach the past three seasons, until you remember that Gorman isn’t involved so nobody is going to make a fuss. … Desert Oasis by 7.

■ Clark at Boulder City — I went back and forth on whether to call this matchup “fascinating” or “intriguing” before I finally settled on “compelling.” My English teacher will be so proud.

Both of these teams reached the Division I-A Southern Region playoffs last season but ended on different notes. The Chargers stormed into the postseason and gave Desert Pines a battle in the opening round before succumbing 30-14, while Boulder City was blown out 62-7 by eventual state champion Faith Lutheran.

It will be “compelling” to see whether last year’s finish carried over into the spring and summer. … Clark by 1.

■ Cheyenne at Cimarron-Memorial — The Desert Shields are expected to bounce back following a two-win season thanks to the return of 15 starters, and this contest against a solid Division I program will provide a good measuring stick.

The Spartans were a playoff team in 2013 but only won last year’s meeting with Cheyenne by seven points. That means an improved Desert Shields team is the favorite this time. … Cheyenne by 2.

■ Sierra Vista at Sunrise Mountain — The Mountain Lions have high hopes this season after realignment sent them to the Division I-A Sunset League. Senior running back Maliek Broady should be one of the top players in the division.

The Miners had one of the state’s best Division I-A boys track teams last season, which means there’s some speed for first-year coach Chris Sawyers to use in his up-tempo spread offense. If Sawyers can teach the rest of them to block and tackle, Sunrise Mountain could be on to something. … Sierra Vista by 14.

Last week: 0-0, 0-0 (with points)

Season: 0-0, 0-0 (with points)

Contact Fielder at Fielder@nevadapreps. com. Follow @FielderNVP on Twitter.