PrepNVFootball Game of the Week – Desert Oasis vs Durango
Game of the Week
D.O. 29 – DHS 7
PrepNVFootball was live at the Durango vs D.O. football game last night and it lived up to expectations. The Diamondbacks came out and made their game plan quite clear, run left. They saw a major advantage over the Blazer’s tough defense and it worked. Durango never really adjusted and D.O. stuck with the plan. RB Brandon Andrews carried the load for the Dbacks. He ended the game with 250+ yards & 4 TD’s. At times Durango came up with key stops, but turnovers by the special teams gave the ball right back to the opposition.
Desert Oasis scored first to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Durango’s Marcus Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for the touchdown. The DHS special teams ended up with more yardage than the offense, which failed to gain a true rhythm.
D.O. continued to capitalize off of DHS mistakes and took a 17 – 7 lead into the half. At halftime we caught up with Durango Head Coach Gary Maki and asked him what his message was to his team? Maki said,” Let’s wake up and play some football, like we know we can.” We then asked him about their QB situation and he had this to say,” We will be sticking with (Scott) Martinez at QB.”
The Blazer’s injuries has caused a QB carousel for the Blazers and it has really hindered their offense. The offense gained a total of 40 yards last night and it was their first game with QB Scott Martinez back at the helm. These next two weeks will be crucial as the Blazers try to make the playoffs.
Desert Oasis on the other hand finished the game out strong and even though their passing offense failed to find any rhythm, they showed the ability to control the game on the ground. They dominated time of possession in the second half and added two more hard running touchdowns to win this game 29-7. I caught up with Head Coach Scott Staudinger and asked him how he plans to keep his team motivated now that they have rapped up the 2nd seed? “We have to keep getting better every game. No matter who our opponent is we have to keep getting better on every aspect of the game.” said Staudinger. You can tell his team feels the same way as he does.
The playoff picture is becoming clearer in the SW division and it looks as though the first 3 seeds in the NW division are pretty much set as well. One thing is clear, both teams are still growing and both will be vastly improved when the playoffs arrive.
Week 7 Predictions: Sunset
Cheyenne at Arbor View
AV 35 – Chey 14
Cimarron at Centennial
Cent 30 – CMHS 14
Faith Lutheran at Mojave
FL 28 – MHS 27
Palo Verde at Shadow Ridge
PV 56 – SR 6
Clark at Bonanza
Bon 35 – CHS 33
Desert Oasis at Durango
DHS 35 – DO 31
Bishop Gorman at Pahrump Valley
BG 63 – PV 0
Spring Valley at Sierra Vista
SpV 28 – SV 14
Boulder City at Western
BC 14 – WHS 13
Moapa Valley at Legacy
MV 28 – Leg 21
Week 6 Predictions: Sunset
Arbor View at Shadow Ridge
AV 52 – SR 10
Sierra Vista at Clark
CHS 28 – SVHS 20
Spring Valley at Desert Oasis
DO 35 – SpV 6
Durango at Pahrump Valley
DHS 48 – PVHS 12
Faith Lutheran at Moapa Valley
MV 35 – FL 12
Servite (Cal.) at Bishop Gorman
BG 35 – Servite 24
Legacy at Cimarron
CM 28 – Leg 21
Centennial at Mojave
Cent 40 – MHS 7
Palo Verde at Cheyenne
PV 28 – Chey 6
Bonanza at Western
BHS 45 – WHS 20
Week 6 Predictions: Sunrise
Coronado at Green Valley
GV 24 – Cor 14
Las Vegas at Valley
LVHS 38 – VHS 18
Canyon Springs at Sunrise Mountain
CS 52 – SM 6
Del Sol at Liberty
Lib 21 – DS 20
Basic at Silverado
BHS 30 – Sil 22
Rancho at Chaparral
RHS 40 – Chap 12
Eldorado at Desert Pines
DP 35 – Eldo 13
Friday Night Recap: Sunset Week 5
Western at Spring Valley
Spv 53 – WHS 7
Spring Valley came out and played their most complete game of the season. The Warriors were never really in this game, and it turned out to be the least competitive game on TNLs so far this season. The Grizz have been getting better every week and if they can upset Bonanza they still have a chance of making the playoffs.
Desert Oasis at Bonanza
DO 34 – BHS 17
Bonanza came out in the first half and was the team everyone has seen this season, but the problem was that DO came out in the second half and was the team they’ve been the past 3 years. DO was not to be stopped on the ground in the second half. They pounded the ball and forced countless turnovers with their defensive play. For the first time this season Bonanza seemed to get worn down. In every game they jump to an early lead, but then give it up and come from behind. They just didn’t have that second wind on Friday.
Durango at Clark
DHS 41 – CHS 0
This was a must win game for Durango in regards to their playoff hopes and they played like it. The defense gave up less yards to the Chargers offense then even Bishop Gorman. They made a committed effort to stop the run and the offense was efficient enough behind tailback AJ McQuaig. Durango will be getting back QB Scott Martinez soon and also adding ATH Marcus Williams this week against Pahrump.
Bishop Gorman at Sierra Vista
BG 74 – SV 6
Bishop Gorman rolls again. What I’m interested in seeing is RB Shaq Powell’s yard per carry average after league play. It seems like in every game he gets over 100 yards on five carries or less. I am all for sportsmanship but it is sad to see talented kids like this not get their just due. If he even played 3 quarters in every game this kid would hold every state rushing record. That is something to tell your grandkids about, that’s a legacy, and that’s something hard working kids are being deprived of because of today’s definition of “sportsmanship”
Shadow Ridge at Centennial
Cent 44 – SR 10
Centennial wont lose another game this season. They had the hardest opening schedule in the state and they’ve emerged from it relatively healthy. They should be fresh going into the playoffs and I give them a really good chance of knocking off a 2 seed from the SW in the 1st round.
Cheyenne at Faith Lutheran
Chey 50 – FL 9
Cheyenne continues to run like a team possessed. They have had an easy road so far, but this three headed rushing attack that they have is legit. We will see how they measure up against the upper echelon teams later in the season.
Cimarron at Palo Verde
PV 28 – CM 14
Palo’s defense played hard all game, but their offense still worries me. They don’t have that true home run threat and they struggle to separate from the really good teams. The defense will have them in every game, but sooner or later they have to show a legit threat offensively if they want to make a state title run.
Arbor View at Legacy
AV 42 – Leg 14
AV stopped all the momentum Legacy had coming into this game. The Longhorns had the talent and speed to make this a competitive game, but the Aggies proved to be too much for them. It is refreshing to see a program like AV succeed. They built that program through hard work in the weight room and high character players. They are a team that is fundamentally sound and every time I watch them play I become a bigger fan.
Mojave at Boulder City
MHS 25 – BC 22
My favorite story of the week. Mojave worked as hard as any team this offseason and really felt as though it was their year. But winning is a hard thing to learn. The only way to learn how to win is by stepping on the field and doing it. You can’t practice it and there’s no film that can teach you how to win. Mojave got the monkey off of their back and I think this may lead them to a few more this season.
Pahrump Valley at Virgin Valley
VV 44 – PV 34
Pahrump falls to another 3A foe. I’m starting to think that this 3A classification is the real deal. This realignment set up for next year just becomes more and more unnecessary. Just add BC, MV, and VV into the Sunrise and lets play ball.
Week 4: Players of the Week
Shaquille Powell – 2 carries, 105 yds, 2 TD’s
Antonio Thomas – 21 carries, 213 yds, 3 TD’s
Myloe Lewis – 19 carries, 280 yds, 3 TD’s
Demaryae Williams – 27 carries, 324 yds, 3 TD’s
Aaron Love – 19 carries, 270, 3 TD’s
Photo Courtesy of lasvegassun.com/hs_football
Friday Night Recap: Sunset Week 4
Mojave at Arbor View
AV 56 – MHS 12
Cimarron at Faith Lutheran
CM 49 – FL 18
Centennial at Palo Verde
PV 49 – Cent 12
Legacy at Shadow Ridge
Leg 43 – SR 3
Western at Desert Oasis
D.O. 42 – WHS 7
Bonanza at Durango
BHS 38 – DHS 29
Clark at Bishop Gorman
BG 69 – CHS 7
Pahrump Valley at Sierra Vista
SV 36 – PVHS 35
Liberty at Spring Valley
Lib 57 – SpV 0
Virgin Valley at Cheyenne
Chey 62 – VV 24
Friday Night Recap: Sunrise Week 4
Canyon Springs at Desert Pines TV
CS 18 – DP 16
This was a great game between two teams battling for playoff positioning. The Pioneers showed that they could get production out of the QB position and that made the difference in the end. They were able to come from behind and snatch the win from the Jags. DP shouldn’t get too down yet. They have a lot of talent and will rack up wins in the division. They may be winless now, but they are still my pick to advance into the Sunrise Championship game.
Foothill at Coronado
FHS 10 – Cor 6
Foothill pulls out this tough divisional game. Coronado shows that is now a different team and with their commitment to running the ball they will be in every game. Foothill pulls out another tight game and they seem like all of the luck is on their side. Can;t wait to see them against Del Sol and Liberty.
Basic at Green Valley
GV 36 – Basic 33
Instant Classic! Green Valley and Basic has always been a huge rivalry in Nevada and it is also one of the most balanced rivalries. This game went back and forth, neither team wanting to give up a yard, both striving to make that one game changing play. In the end when the dust settled Green Valley emerged victorious, but both teams should be proud of their performances.
Del Sol at Silverado
DS 28 – Sil 24
Silverado played its best game of the season, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Dragons. Del Sol is my pick to win this division but they seem to always get into these close games. They usually pull out the “W” but it’s a tough way to live. Until they give me a reason to doubt them Del Sol looks like the best team in this division.
Las Vegas at Eldorado
LV 58 – Eldo 13
Vegas came out and hit the ground running, literally. They could not be stopped in any phase of the game. Eldorado had moments of life throughout the game, but it wasn’t enough to gain any true momentum. Las Vegas is looking good so far but their toughest division opponents are still to come.
Chaparral at Sunrise Mountain
Chap 20 – SM 14
Chap pulls out a tight one against Sunrise Mountain. The Miners were so close from pulling the upset but they just ran out of time. Chap showed a pretty balanced attack but this may be their only win of the season.
Rancho at Valley (5OT)
VHS 35 – RHS 34
5 overtimes, yes 5 of them in a 35 -34 game. The defenses were great through the first 4 quarters but in overtime both teams offenses took over. They traded points in every overtime and the difference ended up being a missed 2 point conversion. Valley then kicked the extra point. That boggles me because I always thought that the teams must go for 2 after the 3rd overtime. But it doesn’t matter Valley pulled out the win and took a step towards making the playoffs.
Week 4 Predictions: Sunset
Mojave at Arbor View
AV 51 – MHS 6
Mojave has a tough job contending in this NW division and Arbor View is one of the best teams in the state. All 3 of Arbor’s backs should go over the 100 yard mark this week, maybe even the QB. The game will be over by the half and Arbor will be setting its sites toward the next opponent.
Cimarron at Faith Lutheran
CMHS 35 – FL 12
Cimarron’s ground game will prove to be too much for Faith’s run defense, but I do think the Crusaders are moving in the right direction. They don’t yet have the numbers to compete in the 4A, but in a few years we will be saying Gorman watch out. For now they take their lumps and Cimarron wins by 3 scores.
Centennial at Palo Verde
PV 21 – Cent 7
Centennial was unfortunately given the hardest schedule imaginable. If Gorman played non league city games I’m sure they would’ve played them too. This eventually will make them a tougher team. They will still grab the 3 seed in the NW in my opinion but this early season stretch is killer. Oh and Palo’s defense does what it does.
Legacy at Shadow Ridge
Leg 45 – SR 6
Legacy shocked me and had the game everyone expected them to have since the start of the season. I still haven’t had a LJ McMorris sighting. It boggles me how a kid is a starter as a sophomore and barely touches the ball as a senior. He runs a 4.3 40, why is he not in the rotation. Anyway the Ridge is feeling the effect of losing around 20 seniors and are struggling. Legacy wins again.
Western at Desert Oasis
DO 55 – WHS 6
Western lost to Pahrump last week and gave them their 1st 4A win. Coach Carmona is trying to build that program the right way, but I’m not sure they are quite buying in to the system. They is a lot of track talent at that school and I would assume that would translate onto the field at some point in time. It just wont happen this season or in this game. D.O. rolls in this one and looks ahead a few weeks to the matchup against Durango.
Bonanza at Durango
DHS 28 -BHS 23
Speaking of the Blazers, this game is huge for them. Bonanza is undefeated and entering riding a wave of momentum. Oh did I mention that the Blazers put up 72 against them last season. The Bengals will be hyped for this match up. Right now they are the better team in the win column and on the field but I’m picking the Blazers for the upset. If Durango limits the turnovers and runs the rock they have a chance of coming away with the win.
Clark at Bishop Gorman
BG 56 – CHS 0
Clark had a rough outing last week. Losing to the Grizzlies and severely hurting their playoff chances. They are a better team than what they showed during that game. Unfortunately they will have to wait another week to prove it because they visit Gorman. The Gaels will post another goose egg this week.
Pahrump Valley at Sierra Vista
SV 22 – PVHS 12
Pahrump is on a 1 game winning streak. Hey that’s a huge deal for the Trojans and believe it or not I think they have what it takes to pull the upset in this one too. I’m not going to pick them to win, but I think they have a shot. The Mountain Lions will have to come out and run the ball right at the Trojans if they hope to leave with the win. It’s crazy to say but Sierra Vista can not over look this team.
Liberty at Spring Valley
Lib 30 – SpV 8
This was the game that got the Patriots rolling last year and they hope that one year later it will have the same effects. Liberty is an odd team this year they can fall asleep for a half. This week i have them playing a complete game. I’m not saying this one will be a blow out though. SpV has gained a lot of respect with their toughness and how eager this young team is to win. They will not be sacred of Liberty.
Virgin Valley at Cheyenne
Chey 32 – VV 20
Cheyenne is looking like a nice sleeper in this NW division. They can run the ball, play solid defense behind the offense, and kill you on special teams. They play all 3 phases of the game well and I see them getting the win this week.
