FIELDER’S CHOICES: While others are streaking, my picks are soaring

For those who were wondering, that wasn’t me you saw streaking at Arbor View or Desert Oasis last week.

My guess is it was Skeet. He’s like that.

But there was reason to celebrate last week. I went 6-1-1.

To give you a clue about my identity, it’s homecoming at my school next week. Yes, I’m still dateless. Thanks for asking. Any volunteers?

Maybe I can win people over with my picks this week:

Legacy (5-0, 2-0) at Arbor View (4-1, 1-1) — I’m not sure anyone outside of these two schools saw this game being as huge as it is when they first looked at the schedule.

Legacy is off to an amazing start, and Deshae Edwards is on his way to all-state honors. Credit the Longhorns’ line for opening holes and letting Deshae fly.

The Aggies will be looking for some revenge after having homecoming spoiled last week. And they need this one to stay in the hunt for a top spot in the division.

I’d love to be at this game because it’ll be the best one in town. In the end, one too many carries by Taylor Wooten equals ... Arbor View by 2.

Palo Verde (5-0, 2-0) at Cimarron-Memorial (3-2, 2-0) — Big props to the Spartans for bouncing back from an awful start. Cimarron has won three in a row. The 1-2 punch of Zach Barbara and Stephen Nixon is working, and Palo Verde showed last week that scoring against the Panthers isn’t impossible.

Beating them? That might be another story.

There’s a reason many people think Palo Verde is the best team in the division, at least until someone beats the Panthers.

Chaz Thomas makes sure that doesn’t happen tonight. Palo Verde by 8.

Western (1-3, 1-1) at Bonanza (3-2, 2-0) — Remember last year when you’d have rather done a history report than go to a Bonanza game?

These aren’t the same Bengals. They’ve got speed, strength and now some confidence. And they’ve got Antonio Beals running the ball and a defense that looks better by the day.

Western is ... well, not the same team as last year, either. Last week was two steps forward. Here’s one step back. Bonanza by 6.

Valley (2-3, 0-2) at Las Vegas (4-1, 2-0) — I was thinking (I know, a shock) lots of Reggie Bullock last week. Vegas did not need a lot. Eleven touches was enough for three scores.

Valley is a scoreboard operator’s nightmare, scoring and allowing 37 points per game.

Give Reggie 20 touches tonight and he’ll score eight times, but save one or two for Reshon Edwards so he can break loose, too.

The Vikings need to keep this from being a shootout or it’ll look really one-sided. Las Vegas by 14.

Coronado (2-3, 0-2) at Silverado (3-2, 0-2) — What happened to the Skyhawks?

The team that won its first three games 98-19 scored only 11 points the last two weeks and finds itself fighting just to get into the playoffs.

Silverado got pummeled by injuries, but still. Extra work by the “athletic” trainer means Terran Madu-Jules and Trenton Tipton will be ready this week.

Coronado might want to think about moving to the Sunset Region. The Cougars went 2-1 on that side of town. After tonight, they’ll be 0-3 on the east side. Silverado by 10.

Pahrump Valley (1-4, 0-2) at Durango (0-5, 0-2) — The good news is someone has to win this game.

My friend Kelly said I should pick Pahrump Valley. I tried that earlier this year, and it worked as well as my attempts to find a date this week.

Durango is averaging 10 points per game, which would be great if we were talking about soccer. Pahrump is allowing 33 points, which would be fantastic in basketball.

Maybe they’re just playing the wrong game. You win, Kelly. Pahrump by ½.

Virgin Valley (4-1) at Faith Lutheran (4-1) — It’s finally time for the Class 3A schools to start league play (if you can call four teams a league).

It’s Faith Lutheran’s last year in 3A (which will mean a three-team league next year ... there’s excitement), so the Crusaders will be looking to make a mark on their way out.

You know my feelings about Joe Portaro, David Sperry and the boys at Faith Lutheran.

As good as they are, Terran Leavitt, Jonathan Gleave, Zach Horlacher and Colton Teerlink can put tons of points on the board for the Bulldogs. Virgin Valley by 4.

Boulder City (3-1) at Moapa Valley (2-2) — The other half of the league is in Overton, where my buddy Johnny Thunder tells me the Pirates are poised to let loose after going 1-2 against Utah teams.

Max Jenkins is averaging better than 14 yards per completion, and Brad Weiss already has 461 rushing yards.

The Eagles are coming off three wins against out-of-state teams. Look for a healthy dose of Spencer Sasarita running the ball tonight early to shorten the game. The Eagles will have to throw it late, and that’s not in their best interests. Moapa Valley by 12.

Last week: 6-1-1 (spread), 7-1 (straight up).

Overall: 26-11-1 (spread), 30-8 (straight up).