Cimarron sizes up Gorman, refuses to back down

Some might be intimidated or try to change strategy when facing a much larger opponent.

Cimarron-Memorial (9-2) plans to go right at a much bigger Bishop Gorman football team (12-0) in the Sunset Region championship game at 7 tonight at Gorman.

"They aren't used to seeing anybody be physical with them because people are scared about their size," Cimarron senior offensive lineman/linebacker Aaron Garcia said. "We can't be scared about their size. We've just got to be physical and aggressive the whole game and never take plays off.

"They're the biggest team we're gong to face, but that doesn't matter. We come out physical and ready to go every game."

Gorman will have a huge size advantage up front, but don't expect the Spartans to deviate from their traditional strategy of playing power football.

Gorman's offensive line averages 292 pounds, and 246-pound Gaels tight end Xavier Grimble weighs more than any starter on either Cimarron line. Gorman's top five defensive linemen average 261 pounds.

The Spartans check in at an average of 199 pounds on the defensive front, and 206 on offense.

"We are who we are," Cimarron coach Rod Vollan said. "We're Cimarron. We play power football, and we have to go with the things we do well."

What the Spartans do well is run the football. Cimarron averages 334 rushing yards, led by backs James Poole (1,628 yards, 20 TDs) and Stephen Nixon (1,076 yards, 13 TDs).

"I could coach another 25 years and never coach as talented kids as those two," Vollan said. "They really have some special skill sets. They're both willing to play both running back and receiver. Anytime you can put more playmakers on the field, that just makes you better."

Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said containing Poole and Nixon will be key.

"It's not really stopping them, it's slowing them down and making them earn it," Sanchez said. "They create a lot of big football plays. If we make them grind it out and earn everything they get, that'll give us a great opportunity."

Cimarron has scored on a play of 30 or more yards in every game this season. The Spartans have 30 touchdowns on plays of 30 or more yards, including four of 80 or more.

"A lot of people say we live and die by the big plays, but our linemen make huge holes for us and that's why our backs make plays," senior fullback/linebacker Zach Barbara said.

Garcia said that big-play ability spurs the linemen to work harder.

"We have the potential to break a touchdown on every play, and our line knows that, so we go hard on every play," he said.

Gorman has rolled this season, scoring an average of 53.6 points. Last week's 38-28 win over Palo Verde was the first time the Gaels had won by fewer than 31 points.

"They're marvelously talented, extremely well coached and playing with a definite sense of purpose this year," Vollan said. "Really, they have no weakness. But as a competitor, you always want to see how you measure against the best."

Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.