Bishop Gorman’s Zachariah Branch (1) makes a touchdown run during a game against Faith Lutheran at Bishop Gorman’s Fertitta Field Friday, March 26, 2021.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Win or go home
The high school football playoffs are here! Can anyone beat Bishop Gorman in the class 5A, Silverado in the class 4A, or Moapa Valley in the 3A. Any why are important playoff games being contested on a Thursday? Case and Ray discuss on another edition of Prep Sports Now.
High school football teams throughout the Las Vegas Valley are working on a short week in preparing for the first round of the playoffs on Thursday — yes, Thursday.
That’s because the state observes Nevada Day on the last Friday of October, meaning high school football — regardless the significance of the game — is bumped up one day so everyone can take the holiday off.
The condensed week of preparation will surely hinder most teams in their game-planning because it’s one less day to become familiar with the schemes of a new opponent.
However, that won’t be the case for Desert Pines and host Arbor View in the unquestioned game of the week.
Those schools are more than familiar with each other, with Arbor View winning 22-21 in mid-September on a 2-point conversion in the final minute. They have met repeatedly over the past five years, including Desert Pines knocking Arbor View out of the playoffs in 2019.
The picks column record stands at 120-28 for the season, including 15-2 last week. Let’s keep the momentum going:
Desert Pines at Arbor View
Game follows a similar script as Sept. 17 with Desert Pines building an early lead and fading late. Arbor View 26, Desert Pines 23
Foothill at Green Valley
Anyone have a coin? This matchup is even — with one exception. Gators have a slight edge because of their experience in close games. Green Valley 34, Foothill 29
Legacy at Liberty
No shame in losing to defending state champions. Liberty 48, Legacy 0
Faith Lutheran at Bishop Gorman
Another game, another shutout for Gorman. Gorman 52, Faith Lutheran 0
Chaparral at Basic
The Wolves — if they played like they did last week against Clark — are going to make some noise in the playoffs. Basic 38, Chaparral 15
Sierra Vista at Cimarron-Memorial
Sierra Vista is entering the week with a 3-7 record. It will exit the week with a playoff win. Sierra Vista 29, Cimarron 27
Durango at Desert Oasis
Upset of the week. Durango’s defense steps up to slow down the Diamondbacks. Durango 27, Desert Oasis 25
Valley vs. SLAM
First playoff game in school history, first playoff win for SLAM. SLAM 33, Valley 12
Eldorado at Virgin Valley
Don’t be surprised if we get a Virgin Valley-Moapa Valley rematch for the 3A state title. Virgin Valley 50, Eldorado 6.
