Normally, we don't spend too much time patting ourselves on the back here. But we're going to make an exception this time around.
File photo by Matt Cohen
Taylor Spencer, Bishop Gorman
Last week in the space, we pointed out that RB Stephen Nixon of Cimarron-Memorial (Las Vegas) has been relatively quiet this season and was due for a break-out performance. So what did Nixon do? He scored on an 82-yard run and an 85-yard reception that proved to be the difference in the Spartans' 21-20 win over Legacy (North Las Vegas) in the 4A Sunset Region football semifinals.
We also gave the edge to Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in its showdown with Palo Verde (Las Vegas) due to dangerous return man Johnathan Loyd. The senior basketball standout ended up scoring on an 84-yard kickoff return that tied the score at 21 and jump-started the Gaels in their 38-28 win. Of course, in the interest of fairness, we were a lackluster 4-4 on our picks (don't mess with the Southeast League, huh?) so it all evens out.
Here's a quick peek at this week's action around the state:
SUNSET REGION
No. 2 Cimarron-Memorial (9-2) vs. No. 1 Bishop Gorman (12-0)
The skinny: The top-ranked Gaels put the clamps on the high-powered running game of Palo Verde (Las Vegas) in the semifinals and will get a similar challenge from Cimarron-Memorial (Las Vegas) in the final. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) held PV to 138 yards on the ground in a 38-28 win that wasn't quite as close as the final score indicated. The Gaels rushed for 241 yards and four TDs, and if not for two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns by Palo Verde, the final score would have been more lopsided.
The Spartans, meanwhile, avenged an earlier loss to Legacy (North Las Vegas), and ironically it came down to a missed extra point. During the regular season, Legacy missed an extra point in overtime, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty by Cimarron allowed Legacy to go for two and win 30-29. This time, Legacy missed a PAT with 2:34 remaining in regulation, and the Spartans held on for a 21-20 win.
This should be a battle between two of the state's best running back tandems. Cimarron's ground game has rarely been slowed down this season behind seniors James Poole and Nixon. The duo combined for 220 yards last week and will no doubt be the focal point of the Gorman defense. The Gaels counter with Shaquille Powell and Victor Belen, who each gained more than 1,000 yards during the regular season. Gorman's offensive line has been wearing out opponents, but look for senior TE Xavier Grimble to show up and lead the Gaels into the state semifinals.
Prediction: Bishop Gorman 35, Cimarron-Memorial 21
NORTHERN REGION
No. 13 Galena (8-4) vs. No. 6 Reed (10-2)
The skinny: It's almost hard to believe that the Grizzlies were 4-4 not too long ago. Galena (Reno) has won four straight since then, including a 14-7 overtime win over Carson (Carson City) last week that moves the Grizzlies into the title game. The Grizzlies defense has been outstanding of late, limiting Carson to season lows of 218 total yards and seven points. They will get another stiff test from Reed (Sparks), which is coming off a thrilling 28-21 win over defending 4A state champion McQueen (Reno).
The Raiders lost to McQueen in the semifinals each of the past two seasons, but got over the hump this year when Tallen Billings recovered a fumbled punt with less than a minute remaining and QB Tyler Pine scored on a 19-yard run on the next play. Pine led the state in passing during the regular season, but Reed has been riding the legs of RB Christian Thompson in the playoffs. Look for the Grizzlies to use a ball-control offense behind RB Eric Howsley to keep Reed's potent offense on the sideline. The game plan should keep it close, but now that the Raiders are past nemesis McQueen, a trip to the state semifinals is just about a given.
Prediction: Reed 28, Galena 10
SUNRISE REGION
No. 16 Foothill (6-5) vs. No. 7 Basic (10-1)
The skinny: The Falcons needed help in the final week of the regular season just to make the postseason, then pulled off the biggest shocker thus far, rallying to down six-time defending region champion Las Vegas 27-20. Miles Killebrew returned an interception 22 yards for the go-ahead score with 1:03 remaining and Foothill (Henderson) stopped Wildcats QB Hasaan Henderson at the 2-yard line on the game's final play to preserve the win.
Foothill QB Parker Riggin threw 48 times against the Wildcats, many off three-step drops. The short passes allowed Foothill to hold the ball for nearly 19 minutes in the first half and keep it close until the Falcons were able to make a couple plays in the second half. It wouldn't be surprising if the Falcons used a similar game plan against Basic (Henderson). The Wolves' defensive line was dominant in a 24-17 win over Desert Pines (Las Vegas), holding the Jaguars out of the end zone on seven consecutive plays inside the 7-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
Basic lacks the star power of most of the teams left in the playoffs, but the Wolves seem to find new ways to win each week. Basic knocked off Foothill 21-13 in the final game of the regular season and this should be another tight one.
Prediction: Basic 24, Foothill 21
No. 11 Liberty (8-3) vs. No. 8 Del Sol (10-1)
The skinny: The Patriots are fresh off a 16-15 win over Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas) and are riding a five-game winning streak. In fact, this is how well things are going for Liberty in its first postseason appearance: the Patriots had four turnovers and gave up a touchdown with a little more than a minute remaining in the game, but still won when they stopped Canyon Springs on a two-point conversion.
The reward for Liberty is a date with Del Sol (Las Vegas), whose only loss came to the Patriots 24-21 on Oct. 23. The Dragons cruised past Valley (Las Vegas) 32-13 in the opening round behind RB Dezerick Reed, who touched the ball on 30 of Del Sol's 50 offensive plays. Liberty's defense figures to get a steady diet of Reed, as well. RB Ty Byrd, who gained 178 yards and scored two TDs last week, has emerged as Liberty's go-to guy on offense and will test the Del Sol defense.
Prediction: Liberty 20, Del Sol 14
SILVERADO TAKES STATE
Silverado (Las Vegas) took the long way to the 4A state girls volleyball tournament, but it was worth the trip for the Skyhawks. Silverado swept Palo Verde (Las Vegas) in the play-in game Nov. 9, then defeated Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in the semifinals and Green Valley (Henderson) in the final to win its second state title in three years.
Green Valley, which beat Silverado in the Sunrise Region final, survived a marathon second game to beat Reno 25-21, 40-38, 25-17 in the semis.
In the final, Taylor Richard had 19 kills to lead the Skyhawks to a 22-25, 25-12, 25-14, 25-20 win. In 3A, Truckee (Calif.) beat three-time defending champion Yerington 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-7. The Meadows (Las Vegas) took the 2A crown with a 25-22, 25-19, 12-25, 25-17 over Whittell (Zephyr Cove), while Pahranagat Valley (Alamo) knocked off defending champion Lake Mead Christian Academy (Henderson) 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-6 to win its 13th Class 1A crown.
LAS VEGAS GOES BACK-TO-BACK
Las Vegas edged Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 4-3 in penalty kicks to capture its second straight Class 4A boys soccer title at Damonte Ranch (Reno). The teams ended regulation tied 1-1. Las Vegas' Ivan Chamorro evened the score with a goal in the 75th minute after Connor Zanoni gave the Gaels a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Gorman's Roberto Orellana appeared to net the go-ahead goal in the first overtime, but was whistled for offsides. Wildcats goalkeeper Roger Zaragoza also stopped Michael Gray on a breakaway in the second OT.
Incline (Incline Village) captured the boys 3A crown with a 1-0 win over Sparks as Edward Rodriguez headed in Michael Ceragioli's free kick in the second overtime. On the girls side, Douglas (Minden) got goals from Kaitlyn Dry and Holly Downer in the final 15 minutes of the first half to beat Galena 2-0 in the 4A title game. In 3A, Truckee dominated Spring Creek and came away with a 2-0 win.
NIAA PUTS OFF REALIGNMENT
A realignment committee voted unanimously on Monday to keep the current four-class system through the 2011-12 school year and include three Class 3A schools in the Northeast League for scheduling purposes. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association's Board of Control approved the formation of two realignment committees in September to discuss plans for realignment. The committee's recommendation will be presented at the board's meeting next month.
While the four-class system will remain in tact, 3A Southern League schools Boulder City, Moapa Valley (Overton) and Virgin Valley (Mesquite) will be incorporated into the 4A Northeast League schedule and then return to their current classification for the postseason.
“This buys us another year and a half to go through the process and consider all of the options,” NIAA executive director Eddie Bonine told Nevadapreps.com.
David Schoen works at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and is a former Associate Sports Editor and Turn2 columnist for the Oakland (Calif.) Tribune. You can reach him at ByDavid1@aol.com.