FIELDER’S CHOICES: Defense should make difference In Class 2A title game

Part II of Fielder’s small-school championship trilogy takes us to a land far away.

Or at least to the Class 2A state championship game.

The Meadows probably wasn’t supposed to be in this game, but a 41-0 rout of Needles in Week 9 allowed the Mustangs to get a first-round home game.

Mountain View’s upset of Lincoln County in the first round spun the class on its ear and meant The Meadows did not have to leave Las Vegas in the playoffs.

Pershing County, on the other hand, is making a 440-mile trip from Lovelock to play at Arbor View in Saturday’s 3 p.m. game.

Fielder’s fact: Lovelock is known for its alfalfa. (Not the one in the old Little Rascals show, either.).

Here’s a scouting report of The Meadows-Pershing County state final:

Average points per game: 32.3

Average points allowed: 18.6

How they got here: Tied for first in Southern League, defeated Needles at home (28-27), defeated Battle Mountain at home (23-14).

Strengths: Offensively, the Mustangs are about as balanced as they come, using 317 running plays and 261 passing plays. As a result, they’re tough to defend.

Pat Kenny is the team’s workhorse running back, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Gerard Martinez isn’t the most accurate passer around, but the lefty slinger has thrown 31 TD passes with nine receivers catching at least one.

Weaknesses: Martinez is a freshman, and if not given ample time by his line, he will make freshman mistakes.

The defense is Katy Perry-like: Hot n cold. When they’re hot, the Mustangs are a team that can shut out offenses like Needles. It’s the same team that allowed 38 to Lincoln County a month ago, though.

Keys to victory: Especially early on, short, quick passes will build Martinez’s confidence. A good mix of running and throwing on first and second down will keep Pershing County guessing.

If The Meadows is to win the game, it must win the turnover battle. Points should be at a premium, so playing from behind is probably not a good idea.

Average points per game: 39.0

Average points allowed: 9.3

How they got here: Finished first in Northern League, defeated Rite of Passage at home (53-12), defeated Mountain View at home (28-22).

Strengths: Pershing County’s defense is one of the better ones around. Until Mountain View put up 22 points last week, the Mustangs (yes, Pershing County is the Mustangs, too) had allowed only 24 points in their previous six actual games (There was a forfeit in there, too, but I’m not counting it.).

The 22 points Mountain View posted last week are the most Pershing County has allowed since last year’s playoffs. Last week also showed Pershing County could find a way to win in a pressure situation, scoring in the fourth quarter after Mountain View had tied the game.

Offensively, Dylan Bloyed guides the ship. He’s had a hand in 21 touchdowns, throwing for 14.

Weaknesses: Despite scoring nearly 40 points a game, nothing really stands out on offense for Pershing County. If the defense isn’t on, it can create some problems.

Other than that, it’s hard to find weaknesses on an unbeaten team.

Keys to victory: Pershing County is the team that was expected to be here and should act like it. Pushing across an early touchdown or coming up with a big defensive stop early will get momentum on its side and put question marks above the heads of The Meadows’ players.

Pressuring Martinez could lead to some interceptions, and Pershing County will feast on a short field.

Easy. The Mustangs win. But since both teams are the Mustangs, I should probably pick just one.

There are a couple of common opponents, and nothing much can be made of them.

Pershing County beat Battle Mountain (14-6) in September and Mountain View (28-22) last week.

The Meadows was a 23-14 winner over Battle Mountain last week and beat Mountain View (26-22) in Week 5.

Pershing County last won state in 2004. The Meadows won the last of five straight titles in 2001, but none since, so this is new to everyone.

Where’s the edge in this game? It’s with Pershing County’s defense. They’ll pin back their ears and put all kinds of pressure on Martinez.

If he can survive early, I like The Meadows’ chances. But I don’t see that happening. Pershing County 26-20.