FIELDER’S CHOICES: Expect blowouts in first playoff games

It’s playoff time. Well, in most places.

Eight Sunset Region schools hit the field Friday with the hope of eventually travelling north on Thanksgiving weekend for a state semifinal game.

The small schools start Friday and Saturday.

Sunrise Region fans still have to wait a week. Because the Sunrise winner advances straight to the state final (no collecting $200, though), those playoffs don’t start until Nov. 13.

It’s fine, because there’s still a mess in the Southeast League. If you haven’t yet, check out all the playoff scenarios on this site. I’ll warn you that they’re really confusing, so don’t read me and those in the same hour.

Here are this week’s big-school picks. Look around on the site and you’ll find my small-school picks.

Congratulations, Cheyenne. You graduated 20 or so seniors and lost a coach, then lost another coach, and still made the playoffs.
Your reward is … a trip to Notre Gorman.

In nine games against Nevada teams this year, the Irish … er, Gaels … have outscored the opposition 501-29.

That’s not a misprint. Say it with me: 501-29.

Cheyenne is one of the few teams that has the speed to keep up with guys like Shaquille Powell and Victor Belen, but I’m not so sure about the strength to hang with guys like Xavier Grimble.

Gorman’s last five games all have been decided by 50 or more points. That streak breaks. The winning streak doesn’t. Gorman by 28.

It must be nice to be a Longhorn.

Look at the Sunset Region bracket. Notice that Palo Verde and Bishop Gorman are in one half, and Legacy is in the other.

 

Cimarron-Memorial is no pushover, and if the favored teams win, Cimarron would get a rematch with Legacy next week.

Still, staying away from both the Panthers and Gaels until the final is a nice thing. Being 10-0 with a great running back in Deshae Edwards and a solid quarterback in Devin Wiedemann isn’t bad, either.

Spring Valley isn’t exactly riding into the postseason on a high note with two straight losses. Big doses of Taj Allen running the ball and keeping the Grizzlies’ defense on the sideline might be the key to victory.

Legacy is on a roll. Just like butter. Legacy by 10.

Home teams usually have a big advantage in the playoffs.

Usually.

These two teams just met four weeks ago at Cimarron in a nonleague game.

Stephen Nixon returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. James Poole ran for 264 yards and four touchdowns, and Cimarron won, 54-7.

It won’t be that lopsided this time, but it also shouldn’t be close.

No matter what happens, Durango has had a great season. Cimarron by 20.

It seems a little unfair. First chance to get into the playoffs, and Desert Oasis not only gets in, but gets a No. 3 seed … and has to go to Palo Verde.

The Diamondbacks gave Gorman a game for a while, and they’ll give Palo one, too.

Problem is Palo is really fast and experienced in the postseason.

 

Like Durango, Desert Oasis has had a great season and has a lot to build on. Palo Verde by 16.

Welcome to the Southeast League, where just about anyone still can finish just about anywhere.

Foothill doesn’t yet have a playoff spot locked up after it got stomped by suddenly imaginative Silverado last week.

Basic could win the title outright or be in a two-way tie for first, a three-way tie for second or a four-way tie for first.

The Wolves’ defense, led by linebacker Devin James, has been great in the past two games. Make it three. Basic by 12.

Guess who still can make the playoffs?

 

Nope, not Green Valley. The Gators are done after this week.

Silverado needs a win here and a win by their good friends at Basic, and the Skyhawks — whose season looked derailed before last week — would be headed to Las Vegas High next week.

Kyle Simmons at quarterback just might be the answer for Silverado. It sure beats running into the middle of the line all the time.

Green Valley … has some rebuilding to do. The Skyhawks will be scoreboard-watching. Silverado by 8.

Del Sol can clear up some of the mess in the Southeast with a win. That’d get the Dragons the league’s No. 1 seed.

One more big game from Dezerick Reed should get the job done. He can do it. His teammates can help.

Coronado has had a rough year, but things should get better next season. Del Sol by 14.

If you’ve been paying attention so far, you’ve noticed I haven’t picked many games to be close.

If you’re waiting for one, you probably shouldn’t hold your breath.

Against the top half of the Northeast League this year, Eldorado has been outscored 155-32.

Quarterback Dalton Leilua has the Jaguars in the top half of the Northeast and headed to the playoffs. With one more win in their pocket. Desert Pines by 18.
Last week: 8-1 (overall), 6-3 (with points).
Season: 69-19 (overall), 64-24 (with points).