FIELDER’S CHOICES: Surprising Legacy, Basic to face stiff challenges

Just like my history essay and my chemistry experiment, my midseason report card is a week late.

Better late than never, though.

I’m a big fan of curves — lots of curves — and not a big fan of letter grades, so instead we’ll look at the season’s biggest surprises and disappointments.

With four weeks left in the season, there’s still time for teams to turn it around and get some momentum heading into the postseason.

Biggest surprises: Legacy, Legacy, Legacy and Basic.

Legacy has twice as many wins this year — six — as it had in the last two years and keeps winning games I pick it to lose (OK, so the last part isn’t a surprise).

The biggest thing the Longhorns have going for them now, besides Prince Oroke, is confidence.

Instead of wondering how they’re going to lose, the Longhorns are finding ways to win.

Basic is the leader in the Southeast League. Rub your eyes and read that again. It’s still true.

Dual threat Robby Faiman has the Wolves at 5-1 and primed for a top spot in the league if they can beat Del Sol in two weeks.

Biggest disappointments: most of the Southwest League.

The bottom five teams in the league are a combined 6-23, and four of those wins have come against each other.

Bishop Gorman should run away with this league, although Bonanza and Spring Valley are having solid years. Still, Gorman won’t get any better beating up on these teams.

For that reason, the Sunset champion comes out of the Northwest this year.

Best cheerleaders: Every team, though I’m starting to lean a little toward Del Sol.

Toughest schedule: Centennial.

The Bulldogs are 0-3 in the Northwest for a reason. They’ve played Legacy, Palo Verde and Cheyenne — a combined 17-1. In fact, Centennial’s first five opponents of the season were undefeated entering the game against the Bulldogs. That changed when they played then 4-1 Cheyenne last week. It has to get better eventually.

So do my picks. 5-3 last week isn’t great. I need momentum, too.

Cheyenne (5-1, 2-1) at Legacy (6-0, 3-0) — The Northwest always has a great game on the schedule, and this is it.

Deshae Edwards and the Longhorns are coming off an overtime win and have to face the best running game they’ve seen this year.

Marcus Sullivan and the Desert Shields can’t afford to lose for a second time in the league.

The “Legacy wins when I pick against them” theory gets put to the test again. Cheyenne by 6.

Arbor View (4-2, 1-2) at Centennial (2-4, 0-3) — So much for Centennial’s schedule getting better. The Aggies are angry after a questionable decision to go for two in overtime cost them and having their fans almost cost their volleyball team a win last week.

Crowd control problems at a volleyball match? Really?

It’s a must win for Centennial, but the Bulldogs lack confidence.

Call it a hunch and some really good running by Taylor Wooten. Arbor View by 4.

Sierra Vista (2-4, 1-2) at Bishop Gorman (6-1, 3-0) — It says a lot about the Southeast League that Gorman has scored 117 points in wins against Clark and Durango and 80 points in its other five games.

Akil Sharp and the Mountain Lions absolutely must establish the run.

Good luck against the Gaels’ Justin Chaisson and Alex Turner. Gorman by 10.

Rancho (3-3, 2-0) at Desert Pines (2-4, 2-1) — A battle for second place in the Las Vegas League ... er, Northeast League.

Rancho’s James Cammack has been hiding under the radar this year. (Didn’t he used to be QB7?) He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the area.

The Jaguars will have to rely on a good defense and need a big game from running back Derrick Shaw. Rancho by 8.

Liberty (3-3, 1-2) at Green Valley (4-2, 2-0) — The Patriots had Basic on the ropes last week and didn’t close the deal. One more loss could mean no playoffs.

Green Valley is 2-0 in the league but has beaten only the two winless teams and didn’t look great in escaping against Canyon Springs last week.

Shawn Murray runs wild tonight and keeps the Patriots in the playoff hunt. Liberty by 5.

Las Vegas (5-1) at Basic (5-1) — I hear the Las Vegas players don’t like me after I picked them to win by 14 last week and they barely escaped with a 39-point squeaker.

Get in line. Take a number. Lots of people don’t like me.

That said, Vegas is for real. Emir Lopez and Faiman take to the air tonight. Advantage Lopez and the Wildcats in what could be a playoff preview. Las Vegas by 9.

Faith Lutheran (4-2, 0-1) at Moapa Valley (3-2, 1-0) — The best thing in Overton, besides Johnny Thunder, is Brad Weiss. The Moapa running back took over in the absence of quarterback Max Jenkins last week and was huge against Boulder City.

Jenkins should be back this week, and that’s bad news for the Crusaders.

I’m not sure if Moapa is better than Virgin Valley, but I am sure that when they meet Oct. 30, it’ll be for the league title. Moapa by 7.

Needles (4-1, 3-0) at Calvary Chapel (3-2, 2-1) — The wandering nomads of Calvary are taking their game to Faith Lutheran’s field this week to host Needles. Let’s hope Calvary remembered to let Faith know it’s coming this time.

The Mustangs’ Darra Russell will turn it into his personal home. Needles by 6.

Last week: 5-3 (spread), 6-2 (straight up).

Overall: 32-14 (spread), 36-10 (straight up).