Durango relishes turnaround

By this time last year, Durango's football equipment was carefully packed away as the Trailblazers tried to wipe away memories of a dismal season.

Only the presence of Pahrump Valley in the Southwest League kept the Trailblazers from going 0-10, as they scored 62 of their 161 points against the Trojans.

But this season, Durango has made a remarkable turnaround, not only making the playoffs but earning a home game.

Now it just has to figure out how to beat Cimarron-Memorial.

The ninth-ranked Trailblazers (8-2) host the fifth-ranked Spartans (7-2) in the Sunset Region quarterfinals at 7 tonight.

"I don't really know what to feel; I've never been there," Durango junior quarterback Chase Roberts said of advancing to the postseason. "But I'm really excited, especially since it's a home game. We feel pretty confident."

That confidence is somewhat surprising considering Cimarron beat the Trailblazers 54-7 this season.

"Going into this game we're kind of more confident," Durango sophomore offensive tackle Aleks Vekic said. "Our linebacker, Johnny Williams, just got back from injury, and I think it's going to be harder for them to run on us like they did the first time."

James Poole rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns as the Spartans torched Durango's defense in their first meeting.

"That Cimarron mystique got us the first time a little bit, and I don't think it'll be as monumental this time around," Trailblazers coach Gary Maki said. "I think getting them at home here helps us a lot. We know what to expect this time. I'm hoping we give them a game."

So is junior running back Julio Mora, who leads the area's Class 4A rushers with 1,651 yards and 26 TDs this season. Mora was held to a season-low 51 yards in the first meeting.

"We just came out scared that game," Mora said. "We weren't focused. We were scared, but I think we'll come out way better this game."

Cimarron wasted no time getting Durango back on its heels in the first meeting as Stephen Nixon returned the opening kickoff 75 yards to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead 12 seconds into the game.

"That's real tough. Any time that happens, team unity and self esteem's going to go down," Roberts said. "That's what happened to us. We've got to keep our heads up this game."

Durango also must slow the Cimarron running game. Poole (1,247 rushing yards, 15 TDs) and Nixon (842 rushing yards, 11 TDs) give the Spartans a potent 1-2 punch.

"They have two phenomenal running backs in Poole and Nixon," Maki said. "That's always a concern, because they're everywhere. Pick your poison."

No matter what happens, Durango has enjoyed an incredible turnaround this season, and the foundation is in place for future success.

"They were looking for direction, and we gave them that," said Maki, in his second year at Durango. "Thank God we had a decent year this year. I think it'll allow us to get going next year and for years down the road."

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or at 702-380-4587.