FIELDER’S CHOICES: Durango’s celebration doesn’t last long

Mad, mad props to Durango for making a big statement last Friday at Rancho.

Instead of the one they made last year, which was basically, “We’re not very good,” the Trailblazers showed they have offense and can win, like big, in a 53-19 rout at Rancho.

Taking away their win against Pahrump Valley last year, (and really, did it count when anyone played Pahrump?), Durango didn’t score 53 points in any other three games combined ... didn’t even score their 53rd point until October.

Julio Mora was a huge spark with 241 yards and three touchdowns, and Durango had 379 total yards. If the Trailblazers keep that up, they could be a playoff team.

Not a great start for me, picking seven of nine winners (six if you count the points), but I’m blaming too much time in the sun and heat for that.

Bishop Gorman (1-0) at Durango (1-0)

Come on, really? Durango gets to feel good about itself for the first time in a while. There’s a parade on Dewey Drive. And now they’ve got to get ready for Gorman?

Durango has to control the clock to have any chance in this game, and that means more, more Mora and some Michael Mehiling, too. See ball, run ball.

Gorman finished well in a 48-14 win at Dixie (Utah). Shaquille Powell is flying with four touchdowns already.

Couldn’t watch any game film of this, though. Something about taking it across state lines.

Prove me wrong again, Durango. Gorman by 18.

Basic (1-0) at Desert Pines (1-0)

Desert Pines has one rule this year: Every time Eric Tuiloma touches the ball, the Jaguars automatically get six points.

Tuiloma had four touches and four touchdowns last week when the Jaguars barely covered the three points I gave up in a 50-6 win over Cheyenne.

Not sure how good Basic is. Definitely good enough to beat Boulder City, but I’m guessing Basic won’t put a banner in its gym for that one.

Tyler Dobbins ran well against the Eagles, and he’ll need to again. Basic has one rule, too. Keep the ball away from Tuiloma. Desert Pines by 8.

Faith Lutheran (0-0) at Legacy (1-0)

Mr Griggs is back for Legacy, and that means I like them.

Yes, Mr is the 5-foot-9-inch lineman’s first name. It gets no cooler than that. Especially when he gets mail that reads: Dear Mr. Mr Griggs.

Deshae Edwards is back, too, and he’s pretty good. Like 99-yard kickoff return good.

Welcome to Class 4A, Faith Lutheran. Please check your expectations at the door. Legacy by 14.

 

Weird to say this, but in Week 2, this game has playoff implications.

Figuring Gorman and Spring Valley probably make it, Bonanza, Sierra Vista, Clark and now maybe Durango are probably battling for the other two spots.

The Mountain Lions scored 21 straight points last week ... after they fell behind 41-0 to Pine View (Utah).

Bonanza’s defense was great last week, until allowing a 70-yard run in the fourth quarter. The offense was good between the 20s, not so much otherwise.

Look for a better effort from Desean Martin rushing this week. Bonanza by 6.

 

Cheyenne graduated 20-some seniors last year. And looked like it last week.

Good thing that game didn’t count for much. Bad thing this one does.

Stephen Nixon had an extra week to get ready for this season after almost getting to 2,000 yards last year. Start the countdown. Cimarron by 13.

Sunrise Mountain (0-1) at The Meadows (0-0)

One encouraging thing came out of Sunrise Mountain’s 62-point loss to Clark. At least they didn’t waste their first touchdown celebration.

If you had Sept. 4 in the pool for when the Miners would score for the first time, you’re still in it.

The Meadows looked good in the offseason, right up until quarterback Gerard Martinez left to go east on Lake Mead and end up at Cimarron.

In steps Garrett Gosse, and he should get off to a good start, though this one should be competitive. The Meadows by 4.

Pahranagat Valley (1-0) at Laughlin (1-0)

These two teams combined for 114 points last week. They might do that in the first half.

Cody Hosier, Dustin Poulsen and Kale Leavitt are back to lead a Panthers offense that looks more like a bulldozer. To make it fair, Pahranagat should play its eight players against 11 for the other team.

Corey Cook can run and throw for Laughlin. He’d better do a lot of both. Pahranagat Valley by 24.

Beatty (0-0) at Spring Mountain (0-1)

The boys on the hill struggled in a 36-8 loss to Beaver Dam (Ariz.) last week.

I’m not sure I like the idea that Spring Mountain coach Aaron Madsen said his team is “more physical than in years past,” but whatever works.

Beatty has been awfully tight-lipped about information this year. Don’t take that to mean there are top-secret plans for a championship season.

Party on the hill. Spring Mountain by 5.