FIELDER'S CHOICES: League play means big games

I’m glad to see coaches are taking my advice.

I saw more field goals made last week, and it seemed to turn around a few teams (much like my picks). Now if only I could remember how to set a line.

Nonleague play has wound down for nearly every school, and others are a couple of games into the league calendar.

That means this week is big for every team.

Well, big for everyone but me. I’m already penciling myself into one of the Northeast League’s playoff spots. And why not? I have as many wins as all but two of the teams.

Check out Nevadapreps.com for more picks and updates every Friday night.

Centennial (0-2, 0-1) at Palo Verde (3-0, 2-0)

Just like last year (and every year, for that matter), the Panthers are unbeaten and waiting for that eventual matchup with Bishop Gorman.

Along the way, though, they’ve shown some interesting things. They’ve already taken down Arbor View, displayed a defense that might be better than last year’s and proved sophomore quarterback

Parker Rost can throw the ball when he has to — or when Palo Verde plays Mojave.

Centennial still is looking for its first win, but the Bulldogs have a brutal early schedule.

Early losses to Arbor View and Las Vegas don’t help confidence, and taking on the defending Northwest champ in your third game doesn’t help, either.

But there’s good news: Centennial can gain a lot of momentum for a playoff run. After this week ... Palo Verde by 14.

Bonanza (3-0, 2-0) at Durango (1-2, 1-1)

No, that isn’t a typo: The Bengals are still undefeated.

I’m still not sure Bonanza’s defense can defend any better than UNLV going up against Wisconsin (or

Washington State ... or even the College for the Coordinationally Challenged). But with an offensive weapon such as Jayveon Taylor, the Bengals might not need much defense.

The Trailblazers rebounded from an opening-week loss by beating Spring Valley and then ran into Gorman last week.

With that hurdle cleared, running back Arie McQuaig could start Durango on a six-game winning streak to end the regular season.

Both of these teams lost a lot of offense since last year, when they combined to stick 102 points on the board.

Bonanza goes to ... 3-1 ... Durango by 7.

Pahrump Valley (1-1, 1-1) at Sierra Vista (0-2, 0-1)

After finally getting their first win, the Trojans get a chance to do something else they’ve never done in Class 4A: win two in a row.

Consider this: Pahrump now holds wins over Western in football and boys basketball in the past 12 months. OK, so the basketball one is by forfeit.

Sierra Vista has work to do after losing to Class 3A Virgin Valley last week.

Alexander Segura has Pahrump on the rise and hoping to shatter expectations. But two wins in a row?

Not yet ... Sierra Vista by 8.

Rancho (0-2) at Valley (0-2)

One of these teams will get its first win tonight and will be tied for first in the Northeast.

Every win matters in that league, whose eight teams are a combined 3-13 overall, 1-13 if you take out Las Vegas.

Valley has had a hard time staying in games for more than about one possession.

Will Gosse-Gardet and the Rams are hoping to bury the Vikings early.

A share of the penthouse belongs to ... Rancho by 14.

Basic (1-1) at Green Valley (1-1)

The Gators would be undefeated if they could have extended their season opener by another five minutes, but that’s not the case.

Green Valley fans are enamored with Aaron Love, and it probably has a lot to do with his 223 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Apparently, Love is on the ground.

It’s no secret the Gators like to run, but the Wolves are more air-oriented.

Wideouts Darien Spencer and DeVonte Boyd have been lethal.

The Wolves can strike quick, but winning the clock battle may be more difficult against Green Valley.

I’ll always take points over possession ... Basic by 9.

Las Vegas (2-0) at Eldorado (1-1)

These teams have a monopoly on Northeast wins, but one of them has to lose tonight. Assuming the bus shows up, that is.

The Sundevils were riding high with a 1-0 record before Del Sol brought them back down to earth.

They’ll be out for redemption, but the winners of the past three Northeast titles won’t make it easy.

Farrell Victor has lived up to his name so far as a rabid offensive threat for the Wildcats.

That won’t change tonight ... Las Vegas by 21.

Cimarron-Memorial (2-1, 1-1) at Faith Lutheran (1-1, 1-1)

The Spartans were the latest victims of Cheyenne’s early run, but were a PAT away from stopping the Desert Shields’ win streak at one.

The result wasn’t a fair reflection of Cimarron’s run game, which was outstanding behind Demaryae Williams.

Faith Lutheran still wants to throw the ball behind Gino DeGeorge.

In a race for the playoffs, every win counts for Cimarron.

This is a step in the right direction ... Cimarron by 14.

Needles (0-2) at Agassi Prep (0-2)

A year ago, this was a battle of two of the top teams in the 2A Southern League.

Times change.

The Stars finally get to play someone not named Diamond Ranch.

Terrell Kemp leads this year’s Agassi Prep, but  the Stars lost a lot of offense to Cedar City, Utah.

Needles didn’t just lose a lot of its offense; it lost a lot of everything with the graduation of all-everything Daric Courtwright.

If you don’t remember him, you’re not alone. But he was the one with the winning TD in triple overtime the last time these schools met. Needles lost 61-0 in its last game. That won’t happen again this year.

The 61-0 part, that is. Losses probably still will ... Agassi Prep by 9.

Last week: 6-2 (3-5 with points)
Season: 15-9 (11-13 with points)