FIELDER’S CHOICES: I’ve got mail, and you’ve got … well, my picks

Apparently, a lot of you looked at my picks last week. (Hey, it’s always good to be looked at. Unless it’s because I have a zit or something.)

And a few of you sent me e-mail, but no one included a picture, which bummed me out. Eh, I’ll take what I can get.

Because I actually had to show up for class and take a couple of quizzes (here’s a thought ... let’s realign classes while we’re realigning the NIAA), and I had two TV games to get ready for this week, I’m a little lazy.

Or a lot.

I’m letting you set the stage for this week’s picks. I can’t promise they’ll be any better than last week’s (at least I was above .500, barely), or any more entertaining. But if they’re not, at least it’s your fault this time.

Basic (4-0, 1-0) at Del Sol (4-0, 1-0) — S.D. wrote: “I can’t believe you only picked Basic to beat Coronado by five last week. Us Basic fans have faith in our team. Why don’t you?

“Come on, Fielder, we even scored 47 in the first half. Tyler Dobbins reminds me of some of the players we had in the 1980s. Show some love for the Wolves. Oh, and go Angels.”

S.D., Dobbins was great last week. He averaged almost 40 yards per completion and threw for two scores and ran for two more. Basic is much better than I thought it’d be.

That said, is there a better rebuilding job in town than the one done by Home Depot High, er Del Sol? The Dragons lost seniors to graduation and a running back to Palo Verde, and here they are again.

Last week’s win against Foothill was a little too close for comfort, but expected after a big win over Las Vegas. (Hey, I was only off by one point in that pick).

Let’s see if I can get a little closer this week. Slide over, S.D. I’m on the bandwagon. Oh, and go Yankees. Basic by 6.

Canyon Springs (2-1, 1-0) at Desert Pines (3-2, 1-0) — M.W. wrote: “You haven’t mentioned cheerleaders as often this year. What’s up with that, baby?”

M.W., I’m playing hard to get.

And it’s working. It’s hard to get a cheerleader to notice me.

But these two teams are getting lots of notice.

Deavin Rimmey’s 210-yard, five-touchdown performance last week gave Canyon Springs its second win. And that’s one more than the Pioneers had last year.

Desert Pines can look really, really good (like a cheerleader), or pretty bad (apparently like me), having alternated wins and losses all year. A little consistency would be nice.

Tough pick here. Canyon Springs by 2.

Eldorado (0-4, 0-1) at Rancho (0-4, 0-0) — N.F. wrote: “You always pick easy games. Try something harder. Pick a winner in a game where neither team has a win.”

Really? Four teams in the Northeast League are 0-4 and they play each other this week, which is good and bad.

Rancho is coming off a 32-point loss at home to Moapa Valley. Eldorado is coming off a 41-point loss to Canyon Springs. Yuck.

 

The good news is they have to get better. Rancho by 4.

Pahranagat Valley (4-0, 2-0) at Henderson International (2-2, 1-0) — J.N. wrote: “Defending state champion Pahranagat Valley looks tight again this year. Any chance they lose?”

Only if they don’t show up. Cody Hosier has the Panthers rolling again.

I found out last week that Henderson International is still at least a year away. Pahranagat Valley by 26.

Liberty (2-1, 1-0) at Foothill (2-2, 0-1) — N.D. wrote: “Can you believe it? We beat Green Valley. We’re going to the playoffs. Sunrise Region champs. How bout that, Fielder?”

N.D., I believe the win against the Gators. I even picked it. (One of the few I got right).

I even believe Liberty could make the playoffs.

Sunrise Region champs? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Liberty has more Tais than any other team (linebacker Albert, running back Teu and quarterback Samuel ... just need a cheerleader named Mai) and a great running game, but I still need more proof.

Foothill just saw a great running game last week in a close loss to Del Sol. The Falcons are in a must-win here. Can’t go to 0-2 in the league and expect to play any meaningful games in November. Foothill by 3.

Spring Valley (3-2, 3-1) at Desert Oasis (2-2, 1-2) — D.M. wrote: “Fielder, I really enjoy reading your picks. But I don’t think you give Desert Oasis enough respect. How about picking us to win?”

You got it. Just not this week.

Desert Oasis might be the second-most improved team in Las Vegas (behind Durango), and I love the potential in the passing game with Brennen Stott.

Spring Valley is a better team than it showed in the first half against Durango last week, but not a world beater.

The Grizzlies should be a little peeved this week. I’m thinking a big game for Taj Allen. Spring Valley by 8.

Arbor View (2-3, 1-3) at Shadow Ridge (0-4, 0-3) — G.W. wrote: “What happened to Arbor View? I thought the Aggies were playoff-bound this season. Now I look and they’re in seventh.”

I thought so, too, G.W.

Injuries have derailed Arbor View, and in the Northwest League, making up ground is like trying to run up an icy mountain.

Demarlo Virgil and Thomas Flanagan are doing what they can to keep the Aggies alive.

So is the schedule-maker. This game couldn’t have come at a better time. Arbor View by 12.

Green Valley (2-2) at Bishop Gorman (5-0) — R.F. wrote: “Is it true that Green Valley and Gorman will be shown on national television? That’s great for Gorman. Maybe not for Green Valley.”

R.F., yes, yes and yes.

CBS College Sports’ crew will be at Notre Dame West on Friday for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Rumor has it Gorman is trying to strike a Notre Dame-like deal for its own television network.

Unfortunately, there may not be much viewership in the second half, as much like the Gaels’ locally televised game against Desert Oasis last week, I don’t expect this to be close.

Gorman quarterback Jarrett Solomon and running back Victor Belen may want to practice their smiles. They’ll be featured a lot.

It could be a good spotlight for Green Valley kicker Nolan Kohorst, but the Gators have to get the ball close enough to the end zone for him to be a factor. Gorman by 30.

Last week: 6-3 (overall and with points)
Season: 33-10 (overall), 31-12 (with points)