Fielder’s Choices: State finalists to play on big stage
There’s this place in New York City called Carnegie Hall that is known for great concerts, even though Iron Maiden and Motorhead have never played there.
When strangers ask “Do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?” wise guys from New York will say: “Yes — practice!”
That sort of reminds me of Thursday’s high school football state championships at Allegiant Stadium, which is like the football version of Carnegie Hall. The only way you can get there is to practice. Or at least it was until this year’s championship games were moved from Centennial High to the Raiders’ home field.
Now you also can get there by beating Pershing County or Coronado.
The teams that will play under the dome still have to practice, but probably not as hard as the Raiders did after they lost to the Chiefs Sunday. And two of them will have to get up really early.
Class 2A: The Meadows vs. Yerington, 9 a.m.
Before the season started, The Meadows’ coach Jack Concannon had a taco truck come out to his team’s practice to treat his players. But on Thursday he may have to send out for breakfast burritos. These teams defeated two common opponents (Democracy Prep and Battle Mountain) by similar scores. So after they wake up, this should be a good game. The Meadows by 1.
Class 5A: Bishop Gorman vs. McQueen, 12:20 p.m.
McQueen has won six state championships, the last one in 2008 when Kyle Van Noy of the New England Patriots was playing there. Bishop Gorman has won 17 state championships, including 10 in a row after McQueen won its last one. If Kyle Van Noy was still playing for McQueen, it probably would have a better chance to beat Bishop Gorman. Bishop Gorman by 35.
Class 4A: Silverado vs. Shadow Ridge, 3:40 p.m.
When these teams played in August, Shadow Ridge scored 29 points — more than Silverado allowed against any opponent this season. Unfortunately for Shadow Ridge, Silverado scored 50 points. Also unfortunately for Shadow Ridge, Silverado is undefeated and has outscored the last three teams it has played 169-27. Silverado by 21.
Class 3A: Moapa Valley vs. Virgin Valley, 7 p.m.
When it comes to Nevada high school football rivalries, you can’t touch the Hammer Game. This is the third time this year these two are lining up — Moapa Valley won 18-14 in the spring in kind of a COVID makeup game and 46-28 in October. The last game of the day could be the best game of the day. Moapa Valley by 7.
Season predictions: 41-11
Against the spread: 33-17-2
Fielder is a Review-Journal correspondent during the high school sports season when he isn’t slacking off. He currently cannot be reached because his cell phone fell out of his pocket while he was skateboarding and the screen broke.
