Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Cimarron-Memorial High football players before the 2013 season included (top row, from left) Frank Tito and Jeffrey Prince. On the bottom row from left is Michael Barnson and Tim Wooters.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 | 10:55 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Sunrising
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer celebrate the start of the Sunrise Region playoffs with an all-encompassing look at the first round of games. Don't worry; they save time for discussion on Palo Verde vs. Arbor View and the Division 1-A quarterfinals
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Cimarron-Memorial’s Maurice Bennett returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown today, helping the Spartans break a halftime tie with Bonanza in a 42-14 victory to claim the Southwest League’s last playoff berth.
The score was tied at seven before Bennett’s return of about 80 yards for a touchdown. Then, after Cimarron forced Bonanza to punt on its possession, Bennett blocked the punt and return it for a touchdown.
Within two minutes of the second half, Bennett helped Cimarron grab a 20-7 lead.
“Special teams was the difference. It gave us momentum,” Cimarron coach John Parcells said.
Michael Barnson led Cimarron with 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, scoring on runs of 14 and 4 yards in the second half. Keenan Bowman added 66 yards on seven carries and Bennett scored a third touchdown on a 32-yard reception.
Bonanza scored first to take a 7-0 lead, but Cimarron’s Djon Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to even the score.
The victory sets up a Sunset Regional quarterfinal matchup next week at Palo Verde, which is the No. 1 seed from the Northwest after beating Arbor View tonight.
“The Palo-Cimarron series, that’s back to the old Northwest. That’s a great rivalry,” Parcells said. “We have always played them real close.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
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