Missed curfew cuts mailbag short
This was intended to be a mailbag. You know, one of those articles in which I provide answers to questions submitted to my email or social media accounts.
One problem: My mom grounded me because I missed curfew last week. She didn’t care that the “Thursday Night Lights” game ended late, so now I’m not allowed to go on my phone or computer to retrieve the readers’ comments/questions.
Luckily, Eric agreed to provide a few topics for discussion.
Q: Which teams from the Division I-A Sunset League will be left out of the postseason?
A: Good one, Eric. Last season, the Sunset League was considered the weaker of the two I-A leagues, despite housing the eventual state champ (Faith Lutheran). Now, it appears at least five teams will slug it out for the four playoff spots. I’ve used realignment as a punch line more than anyone, but I can’t argue with its outcome in this case.
Notice how I chickened out and didn’t answer Eric’s original question? Give me another week and I’ll know for sure.
Q: Who is the early front runner for the coach of the year award?
A: Shadow Ridge’s special teams coach. In two games, opposing teams have kicked off to the Mustangs 18 times, and they’ve returned five for a touchdown. Five! That’s a .278 batting average if you’re scoring at home.
Q: Why are there so many numbers on Bishop Gorman’s field?
A: No clue. Fertitta Field looks like an old Southeastern Conference field with all the 5-yard lines numbered. I keep waiting for Herschel Walker or Bo Jackson to emerge from the fog wearing orange and blue.
I’ve been struggling to pick against the spread this season. But being grounded means I have extra time to study this week’s schedule, so I’m expecting improvement. Be sure to visit Nevadapreps.com for more of my plays.
Las Vegas at Palo Verde — The Wildcats head on the road for the second straight week, and they face the gatekeeper of Division I. Get past the Panthers and Las Vegas instantly becomes a title contender in the Sunrise Region. That’s right, I just likened Palo Verde to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Clay Guida.
These teams are evenly matched, and Palo Verde had an extra week to prepare. The difference is the Wildcats have playmakers (Elias Miller and Jacob Littlefield) on both sides of the ball. … Las Vegas by 3.
Mojave at Sierra Vista — I got ahead of myself last week when I called the winner of the Clark-Faith Lutheran game the favorite in the Sunset League. The winner of this game will be 4-0 overall and might even receive a vote in the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Poll. Hey, stranger things have happened.
Uncle Lefty thinks this will be high scoring, and I agree. Mojave’s Ty Flanagan and Sierra Vista’s Maliek Broady could combine for more than 300 yards rushing. … Sierra Vista by 6.
Foothill at Canyon Springs — One thing I’ve learned during my high school career is don’t get Pioneers coach Hunkie Cooper mad. We’ve been solid up until now, but I don’t think the former UNLV and Arena Football League star is going to like me this week.
I might be putting too much stock in the Falcons’ performance on the road against Centennial two weeks ago. We’ll find out. … Foothill by 1.
Santa Margarita (Calif.) at Bishop Gorman — The Gaels have averted disaster the past two weeks, and it doesn’t get any easier against Eagles star junior K.J. Costello, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards in only three games.
Normally, this would be a classic look-ahead spot for Gorman, with a game against top-ranked St. John Bosco (Calif.) on the horizon. But the Gaels will get a boost from the home crowd. … Gorman by 7.
Last week: 6-2, 4-4 (with points)
Season: 16-7, 12-11 (with points)
Contact Fielder at Fielder@nevadapreps.com. Follow @FielderNVP on Twitter.
