FIELDER’S CHOICES: Playoff spots up for grabs
It’s Halloween week, and I thought about getting Eric and Skeet together to dress up as Liberty’s offensive line. But the three of us combined are as big as only one of them.
It’s also the final week of the regular season, which means the final game of the year for more than half of the football players in town (unless you’re Western ... then, it was three weeks ago).
The playoffs are right around the corner, and most of the postseason field is set. But plenty of shuffling still can take place on the final day.
All high school football games are moved to Thursday because of Nevada Day (kind of). I thought it was to give me time to watch football and go out and get candy.
Liberty (7-1, 5-0) at Foothill (7-1, 4-1)
The schedule maker knew what he was doing when he put this game last.
Kai Nacua leads a fearsome group of Patriots searching for a second straight league title.
Drew Doxtator has been hard to stop, and Kyle Keplinger has the big-play skills that have made for good memories for the Falcons faithful.
Liberty puts its unbeaten league record on the line on the road. Like all good zombie movies, the Patriots might get scared. But they’ll survive ... Liberty by 6.
Las Vegas (8-0, 6-0) at Canyon Springs (6-2, 6-0)
After an 0-2 start, the Pioneers’ playoff hopes quickly came back from the dead, and Donnell Pumphrey has been a thrill to watch.
No foe has found Farrell Victor’s silver bullet, and that’s a good thing for Wildcats fans.
This one won’t be on television, but it’ll be worth the price of admission.
V-I-C-T-O-R ... Y? Because I said so ... Las Vegas by 12.
Basic (4-4, 2-3) at Del Sol (4-4, 2-3)
The Dragons have more lives than a black cat around this time of year.
After a stunning loss to Coronado, Del Sol bounced back at Green Valley on Dylan Lindemann’s last-second field goal to prop up its playoff hopes.
Now, a win against the Wolves would get the Dragons back into the postseason.
Antraye Johnson and Devonte Boyd won’t make it easy.
But Chris Marshall will make it happen ... Del Sol by 2.
Palo Verde (8-0, 7-0) at Legacy (4-4, 3-4)
Parker Rost is only a sophomore, but the young quarterback has shown quite the bite for the Panthers.
The only thing that might stop Palo Verde from a date with Bishop Gorman in the Sunset Region final is a stake through the heart.
Legacy doesn’t have much to play for, and the Panthers already can smell blood.
This one could get frightening. For the Longhorns ... Palo Verde by 13.
Bonanza (7-1, 6-1) at Bishop Gorman (10-1, 7-0)
The Bengals have proven they belong among the Southwest League’s top teams.
But Gorman demonstrated last week against Arbor View that the Gaels are in a league of their own.
Carlos Soto has been a star for Bonanza, but Shaquille Powell, Jarrett Solomon and Ryan Smith give the Gaels too many options.
This game will determine the Southwest’s top seed for the playoffs.
And that should be decided shortly after kickoff ... Gorman by 20.
Desert Pines (3-5, 3-3) at Chaparral (1-7, 1-5)
The Jaguars entered the season with loads of talent and the possibility of a special season.
But early losses to Liberty, Canyon Springs, Las Vegas and a stunner to Rancho led Desert Pines to the edge of playoff elimination.
Fortunately, Leon Hayes has done just enough to keep the Jaguars in the race.
Chaparral has been the site of a turnaround this year, but it hasn’t shown much on the football field.
Pencil in the Jags ... Desert Pines by 13.
Cheyenne (6-2, 5-2) at Centennial (5-3, 5-2)
There’s been no place like home for the Bulldogs, who can cap a six-game winning streak to end the regular season on senior night against the Desert Shields.
Jacobi Owens has been the workhorse on Centennial Parkway, but Austin Turley has been accurate, with 10 touchdown passes and only one interception.
That balance could be key against a Cheyenne team with three quality backfield mates: Kenneth Counts, Myloe Lewis and Tyler Spight.
The Desert Shields can run, but can they keep up with highly-motivated Centennial?
The Bulldogs go for three. No. 3 seed in the playoffs, that is ... Centennial by 3.
Spring Mountain (7-0, 5-0) at Pahranagat Valley (8-0, 5-0)
With the distraction of establishing the longest winning streak in Nevada history behind them, the Panthers are poised to defend their state championship.
The Eagles have been waiting for this matchup, if only for a chance to come down off the hill. Meiyako Williams has had a week to try and figure out more ways to score against the stout Pahranagat Valley defense.
But you don’t win 42 games in a row by giving up easy points.
Austin Poulsen has kept the tradition going, and Tyler Higbee has been a wrecking crew for the Panthers.
Chase Hansen will be a difference-maker this time ... Pahranagat Valley by 18.
Last week: 7-1, 5-3 (with points)
Season: 48-16, 34-28-2 (with points)
