FIELDER’S CHOICES: Worst week of season not a total loss

Need proof that politics and sports don’t mix?

Last week, I talked to supporters of two candidates for senate. And what happened?

Their runaround and opponent bashing had me so confused that I had my worst week of the year, going 5-3.

I did, however, get extra credit for government class, so it wasn’t a total loss.

My phone still rings off the hook. (My regular one, not the psychic text line.) But no more political talk.

Just winners, with no spin ... and maybe just a little bashing.

Here are four to score. For four more, log on to nevadapreps.com.

Silverado (5-3, 2-3) at Del Sol (5-4, 3-2)

Take away Chris Marshall, and I challenge many of you to name three players on Del Sol’s team without looking at a roster.

Thought so. Doesn’t matter. The Dragons found a way to get a bunch of inexperienced players into the postseason again.

Silverado gets in with a win or a Basic loss or a Coronado win over Foothill. (It helps to have friends.)

Del Sol’s players go next door to Home Depot and buy the parts to extend the soon-to-be famous Silverado slide. Del Sol by 5.

Desert Pines (5-3, 5-1) at Canyon Springs (5-3, 5-1)

Funny how the schedule works out, but the winner of this game gets the winner of the Silverado-Del Sol game next week to start the playoffs.

Leon Hayes and the Jaguars have won five straight since a bad start to the year.

The Pioneers just have a five-game winning streak stopped by Las Vegas.

A whole lot of Malik Brown in this game gives Canyon Springs a home game next week. Canyon Springs by 10.

Centennial (6-3, 4-3) at Cheyenne (3-4, 2-4)

I asked the guys at Nevadapreps.com for help figuring out the Northwest League playoff picture, and two computers blew up.

There’s still a chance — not a big one, but a chance — there could be a five-way tie for third in this league.

Centennial, though, would guarantee itself a spot in the playoffs with a win in this game.

Cheyenne has to win out and have about five other things happen to get in.

Thanks to a pretty good defense, Centennial has won three league games by a touchdown or less and deserves to be in the playoffs this year. Centennial by 4.

Arbor View (8-0, 6-0) at Faith Lutheran (4-4, 2-4)

No one was able to figure out a way Faith Lutheran can make the playoffs without something really weird happening. (Like Mojave winning a game or two.)

Arbor View, on the other hand, is guaranteed a home game.

This game’s outcome doesn’t matter for Arbor View. Even if the Aggies lose, they still could be the league’s top seed by beating Palo Verde next week.

Backing off the gas would be really, really bad, though. Can’t turn it back on that easily. Just pound away with Christian Rodriguez and Roderick Eason. Arbor View by 12.

Legacy (4-4, 3-3) at Palo Verde (8-0, 6-0)

All Legacy has to do to guarantee itself a playoff spot is win out.

Fortunately for the Longhorns, they can still get in with a loss in this game, too.

The overtime loss to Centennial last week must still be hurting, and I’m not sure Jordan Ireland and the Longhorns are ready for this as their bounce-back game.

The Palo Verde-Arbor View showdown of the unbeatens next week should be safe. Palo Verde by 18.

Green Valley (3-6, 1-4) at Basic (4-5, 1-4)

I’m not sure anyone expected Basic to be in this situation.

The Wolves are left hoping they have friends at Del Sol, and that they can beat Green Valley.

The Gators aren’t playing for much of anything here, but spoiling a team’s season is usually fun.

Basic scores early, then watches Nevadapreps.com for updates on the Silverado-Del Sol game. Basic by 10.

Valley (2-7, 2-4) at Rancho (4-5, 3-3)

Rancho qualifies for the Sunrise Region playoffs with a win.

Good balance with Shamel David running and Will Gosse-Gardet passing should make that happen.

Valley’s defense has been better this year, but not quite good enough to pull the upset here. Rancho by 8.

Moapa Valley (4-4, 1-0) at Virgin Valley (7-1, 1-0)

These two teams will meet again next week to start the Class 3A playoffs. The winner of this game gets to host next week’s game.

Moapa Valley has Kelan Weiss and a handful of other dangerous weapons.

Virgin Valley has a defense that forced 10 turnovers last week ... and Humberto Urias at quarterback.

Never pick against anyone named Humberto. Virgin Valley by 6.
Last week: 5-3 (overall), 4-4 (with points).
Season: 60-12 (overall), 48-24 (with points).