Cimarron-Memorial's defense rises to occasion in title game

4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Cimarron-Memorial 21, McQueen 7

3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Bishop Manogue 7, Moapa Valley 6

2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Meadows 27, Wells 6

1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Smith Valley 34, Eureka 31

RENO -- Heading out of the locker room at halftime trailing by a point, the plan was simple for the Cimarron-Memorial football team in Friday night's 4A state title game: "out-north" the north.

Tired of hearing about Northern Nevada's perceived size and strength advantage, the Spartans blew that notion apart during a dominant 24-minute span that gave them a 21-7 victory over McQueen and their second straight state championship.

"I think we sort of eliminated that myth," Cimarron coach Greg Spencer said. "I thought we handled them up front, and that made a big difference."

Lancers coach Ken Dalton, whose club lost at home for the first time this season, agreed. "They were very physical in the second half. Their defense controlled the game and our offense certainly couldn't move the ball."

Indeed, the Spartan defense put together a performance for the ages in the second half, holding McQueen to minus-7 yards and without a single first down.

"We knew we could handle them," senior linebacker Taylor Miller said. "We just came out and stepped it up. Everybody was flying around, and we were recognizing things faster."

In large part, Cimarron's second-half defensive success was a product of its offense, which set the tone with a workmanlike opening drive that set the tone for the rest of the half.

After returning the second-half kickoff to the 28-yard line, the Spartans proceeded to reel off 18 consecutive rushing plays, converting three fourth downs along the way and chewing up nearly 10 minutes.

McQueen ultimately halted Cimarron's long march 13 yards short of the end zone -- stopping the drive's fourth fourth-down attempt -- but serious damage had already been done.

The Spartans had taken control in the battle for field position, pinning the Lancers deep in their own territory. And, perhaps more importantly, the drive had taken a significant toll on the McQueen defense, which would have little opportunity to rest the rest of the way.

"I could feel them getting tired," senior guard Jason Orians said. "I could feel that pressure being put on, and then I could feel them start to let up."

Almost 10 minutes into the second half, and still holding a 7-6 lead, the Lancers finally ran their first offensive play. It proved to be a sign of things to come, as Miller bulled his way into the backfield and took down tailback Chris Carr for a 2-yard loss.

The slight but speedy Carr had been the story for McQueen in the first half, rushing 13 times for 41 yards and scoring the hosts' touchdown on a 49-yard screen pass from quarterback Brian Fritz. But the 5-9, 160-pounder would find the going very tough in the second half, carrying the ball four times for minus-6 yards.

"They did a really good job on us in the third and fourth quarters," Carr said. "I don't know what happened, but we couldn't get it going."

Cimarron would hold the Lancers three-and-out on their first two possessions of the second half, both times pushing the hosts closer to their own end zone in the process.

And on the Spartans' third drive of the half, that field-position advantage would pay off in the form of a go-ahead touchdown.

Again, the formula was basic for the visitors: pound the ball on the ground and keep a tired Lancer defense on its heels.

"The standout group was the offensive line," Spencer said. "Even when they had eight, nine or even 10 in the box, we kept running it."

Then, just when everyone in the stadium expected the Spartans to run the ball into the end zone, senior quarterback Jacob Smeltzer rolled to his left and found a sliding Brandon Paulo for a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Sophomore tailback Kellen Marshall, who would finish with a game-high 144 yards on 29 carries, tacked on the two-point conversion and the Spartans had a 14-7 lead with 7:16 remaining.

To the dismay of the boisterous home crowd, McQueen's next drive would begin just like its previous two -- with a play resulting in negative yardage. This time, junior linebacker Anthony Bass sacked Fritz for a 6-yard loss, paving the way for another three-and-out defensive stand.

"This defense just flies around and hits people," Orians said. "Coach really emphasizes lifting weights, and it paid off on both sides of the ball tonight."

After stopping Cimarron on downs with 3:55 to play, an exhausted Lancer defense put the team's offense in a position to try for a final game-tying drive. Those hopes took a major hit moments later, however, when a Paulo punt pinned the hosts at their own 4-yard line.

With time becoming a factor, McQueen abandoned its running game and went to the air, but three pass attempts by Fritz went incomplete and the Lancers were forced to punt the ball from their own end zone.

"We pride ourselves on shutting the other team down" junior defensive back Kyler Rushton said. "We knew it was a close game and the defense had to take over."

Two minutes later, Marshall added a 13-yard touchdown scamper, and the celebration was on for loyal Spartan fans who made the trip to Reno and braved near-freezing temperatures to watch their team win its second consecutive state trophy.

For many, the victory was particular sweet since it came at the expense of McQueen, which defeated Cimarron 28-21 in the 1997 championship contest.

"They beat us two years ago in Las Vegas, so to come up here and beat them in their house feels pretty good," Spencer said.

Agreed Orians, "It feels good, especially against McQueen. I really played this game for that team three years ago, especially for the seniors -- the guys who never got their shot to win one."

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