Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

high school football:

Cimarron-Memorial makes statement with win over Desert Oasis

2013 Prep Football

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.

Prep Sports Now

Separation week

A week after Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer could barely find a single game to disagree on, they line up on opposite sides all over the place. With all teams now in league play, they go through all the matchups and differ on how several will play out. They also look back on last week's game between Bishop Gorman and Booker T. Washington.

The players from Cimarron-Memorial heard all of the talk.

The Spartans weren’t tested, that Desert Oasis running back Jocquez Kalili was going to outclass everyone on the field and that the Diamondbacks were going to sully Cimarron’s record.

The Spartans weren’t rattled, however. They simply responded with 34-21 victory.

“A lot of players took that personal,” Cimarron-Memorial coach John Parcells said of the talk surrounding the game. “They wanted to make a statement.”

Junior quarterback Derek Morefield threw for 226 yards and five touchdowns, while running back Michael Barnson toted the rock 39 times for 187 yards.

Maurice Bennett caught three touchdown passes as part of a four-catch, 95-yard day. Roy Gonzalez an David Cotterell also had a touchdown reception each.

“Our passing game has been a work in progress since the spring,” Parcells said.

But the highlight of the game for Parcells, was shutting down Kalili.

Yes, Kalili still had a solid game, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown.

But that, in itself, was a statement, considering that most of the talk surrounding the Diamondbacks (3-2, 0-1 Sunset Southwest) falls on Kalili’s playmaking ability.

“The results speak for themselves against their talented tailback,” Parcells said. “We felt inside our family that we’re the only ones who knew what we’re about. The guys rallied together about that. We played outstanding defense.”

The Spartans (5-0, 1-0) will probably hear more of the same entering next week’s game against powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

But that’s OK. It’s just another chance for the Spartans to make a statement.

Paul Delos Santos can be reached at 990-2416 or mail to [email protected]. Follow Paul on Twitter at twitter.com/pauliedelos.

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