FIELDER’S CHOICES: Coaches should know when to say when

Every prep football season, running up the score becomes a hot-button issue. It’s a sure sign of fall, like turning on the heater in the morning and the air conditioner during the afternoon.

This year, we barely made it to October before my least favorite topic popped up again. Ugh.

The issue was in the national news this week as a photo of the scoreboard from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly’s 99-9 victory over Compton (Calif.) circulated on social media. Closer to home, I was in attendance for a clear example of running up the score.

Not every blowout involves a coach running up the score, and I’m the first to acknowledge that, but this was a rather egregious case. The starting running backs were in the game late in the fourth quarter while the game was being played with a running clock. In the final minute, the winning team ran a play from inside the opponent’s 15-yard line rather than take a knee, and afterward, the coach showed little remorse for his decision.

It was the prep football equivalent of Dan Henderson’s flying right hand to the jaw of an already unconscious Michael Bisping at UFC 100.

Football coaches like to remind players that everything they do shows up on film. I’m only a high school student, but I’d like to remind coaches that the same goes for them.

Now that I’m off my soapbox, it’s time to brag about last week’s record against the spread. It was my best effort all season, and I finally have some confidence heading into the second half of the season.

■ Coronado at Green Valley — Both teams prefer to operate at close to warp speed on offense, but don’t expect the outcome to resemble a basketball score. The Cougars have been one of the few teams to slow down Green Valley in recent seasons and have won the past two meetings with their Henderson neighbor.

It’s doubtful either coach will acknowledge the elephant in the stadium, so I’ll be blunt and point it out: The winner of this game will earn the Southeast League title. And in situations like that, I always side with defense. … Coronado by 1.

■ Las Vegas at Canyon Springs — The Wildcats have been more confusing than Iggy Azalea’s popularity. One week the offense is moving the ball fine, and the next week Las Vegas can’t get out of its own way. It makes zero sense.

The Pioneers don’t have any of those issues; they’ve won three straight and are fresh off a shutout of Liberty. Elephant-in-the-stadium alert No. 2: Canyon Springs can make room for the Northeast League banner with a victory. … Canyon Springs by 3.

■ Sierra Vista at Faith Lutheran — Superman has kryptonite, and Fielder has the Division I-A Sunset League. I can’t figure it out. It’s more confounding than Iggy Azalea’s … oh, forget it, I give up.

The Mountain Lions are tied for first place and probably would clinch a playoff spot with a victory, but I can’t really be certain of anything involving this league. Defending state champion Faith Lutheran is one of five teams tied for third place at 2-2. Now you know why I’m so bewildered. … Sierra Vista by 3.

■ Foothill at Silverado — This nonleague game looks even on paper and reminds me of that old “Saturday Night Live” skit featuring Bill Murray as the host of a game show called “Quien es Mas Macho?” (“Who is more macho?”)

The Falcons have lost to three proven commodities (Desert Hills of Utah, Centennial and Canyon Springs), while Silverado’s three wins have come against teams with a combined 0-16 mark. Let’s find out “quien es mas macho.” … Foothill by 2.

■ Arbor View at Legacy — Legacy is currently in possession of the “Battle of the Bulls” trophy, which features two giant horns and makes me hungry for a cheeseburger whenever I see it. The stats & info department also tells me the Longhorns lead the all-time series 4-3, just in case you were wondering.

The Aggies dropped last year’s matchup because they couldn’t find the end zone on three long drives and also lost two fumbles. I don’t expect Arbor View to make the same mistakes this time around. … Arbor View by 10.

■ Chaparral at Boulder City — Thank goodness one of the Division I-A leagues isn’t a giant web of parity and confusing postseason tiebreakers. The Sunrise League is as straightforward as a knock-knock joke, and the winner of this game almost certainly will be the league’s No. 3 seed when the postseason rolls around.

The Cowboys are riding a two-game winning streak for the first time in two years and are closing in on their first playoff berth since 2007. The only cool stat worth mentioning about the Eagles is that they will surpass last season’s win total with a victory over Chaparral. … Boulder City by 4.

■ Pahrump Valley at Spring Valley — Oh boy, more Sunset League madness to sort through. Actually, this game features the identical scenario as the Sierra Vista-Faith Lutheran contest — Pahrump Valley is one of the teams at 2-2 and the Grizzlies are tied for first — so just re-read what I wrote earlier.

Spring Valley has won three straight and looked good in the process, which makes me wonder what the heck happened against Cheyenne. A victory by the Grizzlies here would set up a huge game next week against Sierra Vista. Hope they’re not looking ahead. … Spring Valley by 7.

■ Virgin Valley at Moapa Valley — It should be a festive atmosphere in Overton when the Bulldogs and Pirates battle for the “Victory Hammer.” Moapa Valley has won nine straight in the rivalry, and Pirates coach Brent Lewis will likely unveil a few trick plays to ensure the streak remains in tact.

When these teams met during the regular season last year, a double pass for a touchdown on fourth-and-2 late in the second quarter sparked Moapa Valley. Just a hunch, but look for quarterback Zach Hymas to catch at least one pass against the Bulldogs. … Moapa Valley by 14.

Last week: 6-2, 6-2 (with points)

Season: 31-16, 26-20-1 (with points)

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