Sunrise Mountain and Valley will face off Friday at 6 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain for the Superintendent’s Cup Division III championship. The game is a rematch of a Sept. 10 contest the Miners won 26-24 in overtime at Valley.
The Miners (8-1) and Vikings (6-2) reached the title game after semifinal victories last week. Sunrise Mountain rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Bonanza 16-15, while Valley defeated Cimarron-Memorial 42-20.
The new Superintendent’s Cup format created a playoff tier for lower-tier large schools. Miners coach Patrick Achord said he disliked the process that led to the change but approves of the result, noting it has brought competitive football and a buzz to the school. Valley coach Marcus Harris said he loves the format because it gives teams like his a chance.
Both coaches said their teams learned from the first meeting. Harris said the Vikings played without a key wide receiver and committed costly penalties. Achord said the Miners must contain quarterback Nah’lage Butler, a dangerous runner and deep threat.
Sunrise Mountain has played in one championship game since the school opened; Valley has not appeared in one since 1987. The Miners have won three of their four games decided by two points or fewer, while the Vikings have won four straight and scored 35 or more points five times this season.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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