FIELDER’S CHOICES: Trying to figure out Nevada sports

I swear this is the goofiest state there is.

Palo Verde’s football team played its third game of the season Thursday night … and that’s three more than Canyon Springs and Coronado have played combined.

Three weeks deep into the season and the Pioneers and Cougars now finally are getting to play for real after practicing for more than four weeks.

Between that and having California teams compete for a Nevada title and next year having Jackpot play for the Idaho title, it’s no wonder everything is so confusing. Geometry was easier than this.

And then there’s the issue of why there are 18 Sunset Region teams and only 14 Sunrise in Class 4A football. Meh. My head hurts.
But I will try to figure this state out yet.

As a special gift (or curse), in advance of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s Board of Control meeting next week (when realignment again will be talked about), I’ll have my own version of what realignment should look like. Look for it on Nevadapreps.com early next week.

In the meantime, I’m shooting for another week like last week. I’ll take 8-1 (including the points) all the time.

Here goes with my picks of the week:

The week’s best matchup is at Cimarron, where the Aggies will try to show they’re legitimate contenders for the league crown.

Austin Anderson has the Aggies’ offense clicking. All five Arbor View touchdowns last week came on plays of 32 or more yards.

These are two high-powered offenses. And that means … it’ll be low scoring (figure that one out). Upset time. Arbor View by 2.

Clark was so close to starting 2-0, leading Spring Valley in the fourth quarter before the other shoe fell.

Clark’s offense did little, though, and that has to change. Can’t rely on Elbert Garry kickoff returns all the time.

Dasean Martin looked like a brown and gold blur running down the field last week. (Note to Bonanza: The uniform pants and helmets are not easy on the eyes. The offense, however is.) Bonanza by 6.

These two teams have combined for 10 points this year. OK, so Canyon Springs hasn’t played and Green Valley beat Centennial 10-7 two weeks ago.

The Pioneers are sick of hitting each other in practice, so look for some frustration to be taken out on the Gators.

The Gators appear pretty balanced offensively with Jordan Corbett throwing and running and Treveece Jackson also carrying the ball. Getting to the end zone still is a work in progress. Green Valley by 7.
 

Silverado made a case in its opener that it might be the best team on the right side of town. Terran Madu-Jules, Trent Tipton and Dariouse Gravely are a three-headed monster.

Valley gave up 35 points in its opener against Del Sol. And that was an improvement over last year’s average. Silverado by 16.

It sounds weird to say this in Week 3, but Centennial’s season hinges on this game.

You say there are no “must wins” in September? Yeah, um, no. This one is a must win for the Bulldogs, who can’t afford to start 0-2 in the league with still having to face Palo Verde, Cimarron and Legacy.

It’s gut-check time for Chris Henderson and the boys, who must get the offense going.

Faith Lutheran’s initial foray into 4A (get it?) wasn’t pretty. Look for Joe Portaro and Donald Pearson to start to prove the Crusaders belong.

Belong, yes. Win? Not yet. Centennial by 5.

One, and maybe both, of these teams will get on the scoreboard for the first time this year.

Coronado is in the same boat as Canyon Springs, trying to judge itself by how it looks in practice.

Eldorado probably would prefer to be in that boat instead of trying to bounce back from a 55-point loss to Arbor View.

R.J. Newton’s debut at quarterback should be successful as Coronado steals one on the road. Coronado by 8.

If Boulder City is smart, it got game film from its friends at Needles, which just beat River Valley on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass last week.

Ross LaMarca is starting to find his groove for the Eagles after tossing two touchdown passes last week in a win over another Arizona team.

Boulder City starts its push to join the Arizona association after another win. Boulder City by 9.