FIELDER’S CHOICES, PART II: Mountain View has another long road, tall task ahead in football playoffs

Without a doubt, the biggest surprise in the small-school football playoffs last week was Mountain View’s upset over Lincoln County in the Class 2A quarterfinals.

The Saints, who were pictured in the dictionary next to the word “heartbroken” for most of the year while losing close game after close game, still aren’t .500.

But at 5-6, they’re still in the hunt to win a state title.

And they’re making their fourth long road trip of the season to play Pershing County on Saturday in the semifinals. After already having marched to El Cajon, Calif., Carlsbad, Calif., and West Wendover (a combined 1,000-plus miles), the Saints are headed 440 miles to Lovelock, which is ... well, somewhere 440 miles away.

Hope the bus is comfortable.

I’m also hoping to go 6-0 on Saturday.

Mountain View (5-6) at Pershing County (10-0) — Mountain View clearly is the best 5-6 team still alive in the playoffs.

What’s that? Yes, I’m aware the Saints are the only 5-6 team still alive in the playoffs.

Raymond Velarde has directed Mountain View to 40-point efforts in each of the last two games, but doing it a third time will be tough.

Pershing County has allowed only 71 points all year, including just 24 in the last seven games.

The longer the Saints can hang around, the better their chances, but if they fall behind early, they’re in trouble.

Fielder’s rule No. 56: Always take an undefeated team to beat even the best 5-6 playoff team in the state. Pershing County by 8.

Battle Mountain (9-2) at The Meadows (9-2) — No one, other than Mountain View (duh), was happier about Lincoln County’s loss than The Meadows was.

It meant the Mustangs could stay home for the semifinals instead of trying to find Lovelock.

After three straight blowout wins, the Mustangs rallied to pin Needles last week.

Now Gerard Martinez and The Meadows face Battle Mountain’s defense, which hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game this year.

The Meadows has scored at least 20 in every game, so something has to give.

The Mustangs might not be able to find Lovelock, but they can find Arbor View in time for next week’s final. The Meadows by 2.

Fernley (6-4) at Moapa Valley (8-2) — In Class 3A, Fernley draws a second crack at Moapa Valley after losing to the Pirates 33-14 in Week 1.

Fernley has had three good things happen to it this year.

After an 0-3 start, the Vaqueros have won six of seven. They made the playoffs. And so far, no football players have set up signing days for major colleges without the college’s knowledge.

Pirates quarterback Max Jenkins threw three touchdown passes to Matt Newton in the first meeting between the teams.

Moapa is operating on a streak of scoring 35 or more points in six straight games. A healthy dose of Brad Weiss early will open up the passing game and send Moapa to the finals. Moapa Valley by 10.

Virgin Valley (9-2) at Truckee (8-2) — I love Nevada.

Where else can California teams like Truckee compete for a state title? Oh yeah, maybe in California.

It’s a big weekend for the Wolverines, who have teams in the boys soccer, girls soccer, volleyball and football state semifinals. Not in their state, mind you, but it’s still an accomplishment.

Virgin Valley is accustomed to playing teams from other states. The Bulldogs went 3-1 against Utah teams and 2-0 against California teams in the regular season.

Trying to crack a Truckee defense that has allowed only 51 points in its last seven games, though, is a tough task.

My mind tells me Truckee, but my heart says Virgin Valley-Moapa one more time. Virgin Valley by 1.

Coleville (9-1) at Pahranagat Valley (10-0) — As much as I’d love to watch this game, I’m glad I’m not the one running the scoreboard.

Pahranagat Valley averages more than 57 points per game, and it’s the lower-scoring team in this game.

Coleville, another California team, has averaged 68.2 points per game this year, including 78.7 in its last three games. The Wolves can score, but they also can give up points like mad. Carlin hung 92 on the Wolves in a game this season. The good news is Coleville is 9-0 when allowing fewer than 92 points.

Pahranagat’s defense has been sharp, surrendering more than 14 points a total of three times.

Taylor Poulsen has had lots of success throwing the ball this year, but keeping the clock moving is a good option for Pahranagat. Poulsen, Chase Leavitt and Brady Whipple will have fun running the ball. Pahranagat Valley by 12.

Tonopah (7-3) at Carlin (10-0) — The three-match of last year’s state title game and a Week 1 game sees Tonopah trying to redeem itself.

A late touchdown pass gave the Railroaders a 36-32 win on Aug. 28.

Like Coleville, Carlin can score in bunches — 92 against Coleville, 89 against Wells — but the Railroaders weren’t overly impressive in a 42-28 win over Owyhee last week.

Scott Thibodeaux and the Muckers need to be perfect to get revenge. I hope I’m wrong, but nobody’s perfect. Carlin by 4.