Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Disastrous second half for Spring Valley gives Durango big victory

Trailblazers outscore Grizzlies by 35 in the second half

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All eyes on Chey-town vs. Palo Verde

Palo Verde hosts Cheyenne in a Thursday night game between two traditional Northwest powers. The Panthers have looked nearly invincible while starting the season 5-0, but could the Desert Shields give them a scare in this rivalry game?

Spring Valley prepared all week for the vaunted rushing attack of Durango’s Julio Mora and Donovan Smith.

So, it caught the Grizzlies a bit off guard when much of the Trailblazers' game plan revolved around moving the ball through the air with quarterback Chase Roberts.

The passing assault led Durango (5-1) to a big second half and, ultimately, a 63-28 victory against visiting Spring Valley (2-3).

“It was close at halftime,” Spring Valley coach Marcus Teal said. “Then it was more of the same from last week with turnovers and penalties killing us.”

Spring Valley trailed only 28-21 after two quarters. Teal thought his team was poised to come back with a big second half.

With that not happening, Spring Valley dropped its second consecutive game after falling 35-6 against Desert Oasis last week.

"We ran into some teams that were more ready than us," Teal said. "From here on out, we have to treat every week as a playoff game and find a way to be ourselves.”

Spring Valley’s matchup next week against Bonanza could have a playoff-like atmosphere, with the winner potentially gaining control of the fourth playoff spot in the Southwest Division.

Durango won its fourth straight. Coach Gary Maki could not be reached for comment.

“We know we’re going to get everybody’s best,” Teal said. “We’ve been doing this to everybody for years, but now we’re younger and everyone wants a shot at us.”

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