Should’ve seen that upset coming, but on to Week 2
This is a celebration of great things in small packages, an ode to jockeys,half-popped popcorn kernels and Division I-A.
Desert Pines struck a mighty blow for prep football’s proverbial Little Guy last week with its shocking 50-14victory over Arbor View, and though we’re on to Week 2 in the schedule, I can’t stop thinking about the Jaguars’ win.
It was a seminal momentfor Southern Nevada high school sports, the little school onEast Harris Avenueblowing out the big, bad Aggies, last season’s Division I Sunset Region runner-up.
It wasa heroic effort against all odds by Desert Pines, a titanic upsetand ...
We probably should have seen it coming.
Despite the prevailing opinion that teams from Division I-A can’t compete with the big boys (see:Southern Nevada Football Coaches Poll from the past couple of years), the numbers tell a slightly different story.
Since 2013, I-A teams are 14-9 in games against Division I opponents, including 2-0 this season. Granted, few if anyof those wins came against D-I playoff teams, butseven of those losses were by two teams (Cheyenneand Sunrise Mountain). See, I can spin numbers, too.
Not many I-A schools can hang a 50-cent piece on a local power that went 29-5 the past threeseasons, and the Jaguars deserve all the credit they’ve received over the past few daysfor the victory.
But, let’s not patronize Desert Pines and its bretheren from the realignment leagues. They can ball, too.
My first week didn’t go nearly as well as the Jaguars’, and a couple of my upset picks crashed and burned. Thanks a lot, Chandler (Ariz.). Hopefully I can bounce back, and be sure togo to Nevadapreps.comfor more picks.
Green Valley at Las Vegas — I’m so excited that this game is back on the schedule, I can’t feel my face. These teams played twice in 2013, and each game resembled a Michael Bay film, with fiery explosions and giant, alienrobot cars falling from the sky. OK, not so much that last part, but both games were action-packed.
The Gators played three quarterbacks in last week’s loss, and like the old saying goes, if you have three QBs, you have none. I have no idea who will be at QB for Las Vegas in its season opener, but he will probably hand off to Elijah Hicks a lot. ... Green Valley by 3.
Legacy at Arbor View — This is one of my favorite rivalry games because the “Battle of the Bulls” trophy with its giant hornsalways makes me hungry for a steak. Medium rare.
According to the stats & info department, the all-time series is knotted 4-4 after the Aggies bullied Legacy in a 35-14 victory last season. But Arbor View looked pretty pedestrian against Desert Pines, especially on defense, and the Longhorns could present similar matchup problems. ... Legacy by 2.
Valley at Rancho — Get ready to pop the sparkling apple cider because somebody is going to end a long losing streak. The Vikings haven’t won a game since pulverizing Rancho in the finale of the 2013 season, while the Rams are in the midst of a 30-game losing streak.
Valley put up 74 points when these teams met two years ago. Half that total should be enough for the Vikings this time around. ... Valley by 7.
Bishop Gorman at Bingham (Utah) — The Miners nearly derailed Gorman’s national title run in Week 3 last season before falling in overtime. That game featured three successful fake punts by Bingham and, if you’re into Gaels trivia, marked Tate Martell’s first start at QB.
Gorman moved to No. 1 in two major nationalpolls after last week’s impressive win, while the Miners failed to get in the end zone during a 6-0 victory. Let’s hope they were justsandbagging andlooking ahead to this one. ... Gorman by 6. Last week: 5-3, 4-4 (with points) Season: 5-3, 4-4 (with points) —Contact Fielder at Fielder@nevadapreps.com. Follow @FielderNVP on Twitter.