The Daily Sentinel from Grand Junction, Colorado • 23

Section Nuggets lose, page 3C Montrose gets reedy, page 5C Mesa College volleyball, page 8C be Dally Sontlnol PrepRecreationBaseballScoreboard Wednesday, November 13, 188S Things Mesa playoff spot almost certain not make the playoffs. I don't see that happening. Even if Mesa would lose to Cameron, the Mavs likely would finish in the top 12 in the country, one of the criteria used in determining berths for four quarterfinal playoff games. Should that happen, Mesa could still earn a berth because it might be the top-ranked team in Area I. Four areas are represented in Division I.

According to the playoff structure the top-ranked team from each of the four geographical areas among the top 12 teams in the final poll Nov. 24 will get a quarterfinal playoff berth. The eight-team playoffs begin Dec 7, the semifinals Dec. 14 and the finals Dec. 21.

In the top 20 poll last week the only Area I teams were Mesa, No. 10 Puget Sound, and No. 15 Western Oregon. Puget Sound was beaten 36-22 by Western Washington while Mesa was defeating receive from the playoffs comes from gate receipts. Eppler said weather and past track records come into pldy as well as whether teams bid to host playoff games.

Its tough to play a game during December in Minnesota, for example, said Eppler. The weather conditions just arent suitable. Also, some schools choose not to host any playoff games because it's tough on the community financially. Mesa Athletic Director Jay Jefferson said he has sent in bids for one or all three playoff games. "Weve bid on all the playoff games," said Jefferson.

That doesnt mean well get to host. It only means that we feel we can handle some of the cost for the playoffs. Were hoping the NAIA can handle what we cant. Jefferson said bids include fac-J tors from clerical help to press luncheons, a pre-game banquet and housing NAIA officials. Foul weather might pose a problem.

If we would get bad weather, we might not be able to host a playoff game, Jefferson said. Three years ago Mesa hosted two playoff games before playing the final game on the road at Edmond, Okla. Two years ago the Mavs hosted all three playoff games. We like to stay away from one team three games, said Eppler. Sometimes, we have no choice.

Schools wont or cant host and that forces other schools to host games. Nevertheless, Eppler believes Grand Junction is an ideal site for the playoffs. Grand Junction has all the variables we like," said Eppler. They have a big stadium and great community support. They are also not competing against any other college football teams in their area.

They are located by themselves and all the interest is directed to Mesa. Its a very viable site. Jff Llofky Daily Sentinel Mesa Colleges third National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic Division I football playoff berth in four years is virtually certain, according to NAIA Director of Communications Charlie Eppler. The Mavericks, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA top 20 poll for the past three weeks, are 8-0 with one game remaining.

Mesa finished the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season with a 7-0 record following a 38-21 victory over No. 16 New Mexico Highlands University last Saturday. Mesa has a non-league game remaining against Cameron University in Lawton, Okla Saturday night. Eppler said the only way Mesa could be eliminated from post-season play would be if Cameron won decisively. "The chances of Mesa not making it into the playoffs are remote," said Eppler.

If they would get beat real bad by Cameron, they might 13 Mavs getRMAC honors DENVER Mesa College topped the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selections for the 1985 All-Conference team with seven players on the first team announced Tuesday. New Mexico Highlands was second with six players. Fort Lewis, Southern Utah State, Western New Mexico and Western State all had three players named to the first team while Colorado School of Mines had two and Adams State had one. Mesa Coach Bob Cortese was not pleased with just seven players on the first team, saying he felt several others should also have been named to the first squad. There isn't a better tackle in the league than (Mike) Nelson, (Ken) Marchiol is our top defensive player.

Plus, Ive never coached a better running back than Alonzo Williams. The first-team offense included quarterbacks Mark Miller of Mesa and Brian Ainsworth of Highlands; running backs Ron Perry of FLC, Bob Dyer of SUSC and Scott Baldwin of WNMU, and wide receivers John Davis of Mesa and Anthony Edwards of NMHU. Also on the first team offense were tight end Paul Walter and offensive lineman Mike Berk of Mesa, lineman Mark Verna of WSC, Vincent Watts of WNMU, Rock Lapour of SUSC and Mike Smith of Mines. Named to first-team defense were defensive back Derron Collett and linebacker Daryl McKinnerny Denver MOOltll Press DENVER -r- The Broncos have adopted a three-pronged policy designed to ensure that snowballs don't disrupt play during National Football League games at Mile High Stadium while a San Francisco newspaper has offered a reward for a snowball-tosser at the Denver-49ergame Monday. The Denver team promised more security during games of the na to come Maverick cagers go to Cortez for scrimmage The Mesa College mens basketball team will play an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night in Cortez.

The Mavericks, defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and District 7 champions, will start the scrimmage at 7:30 p.m. at Cor tez High School. Mesas first game of the year is Nov. 23 at Western State College in Gunnison. It will not count as a league contest.

Mesa will then be host for the annual Thanksgiving Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 29-30. Clinic to polish cross-country skills Thursday A free cross-country ski clinic will be Thursday at 7 p.m. at Beaver Creek Sports, 2851 North Ave. Reservations can be made by calling 245-4353.

ESPN to telecast college cagers in December ESPNs December basketball schedule will include telecasts of the Great Alaska Shootout championship game, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. MST; Notre Dame at Indiana, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.; Auburn at Ala-bama-Birmingham, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.; Kentucky at Kansas, Dec.

14 at 7 p.m.; and Indiana at Louisville, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Ski donations tax-deductible at Gene Taylors November is Subaru De-duct-A-Ski Month at Gene Taylors Sporting Goods in Grand Junction. Anyone with used ski clothing or equipment may turn it in at Taylors, 445 W. Gunnison and receive a tax deduction.

The equipment is donated to several organizations, including Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association and Ski For Light. For information, call 242-8165. TV-Radio Highlights to local television and radio sports programming: TELEVISION Today Programming is subject to change by respective networks or stations: 6 p.m. PKA Karate. Channel 12.

7 p.m. Top Rank Boxing. Channel 12. 9:30 p.m. Sport-scenter.

Channel 1 2. 9.30 p.m. Sports Tonight. Channel 1 7. 10 p.m.

Skiing Magazine. Channel 12. 10:30 p.m. Tennis Magazine Reports. Channel 12.

Thursday 12:30 am. Sport-scenter. Channel 1 2. 12:30 am. Sports La-tenight.

Channel 1 7. 7 a.m. Sportscenter. Channel 12. 10 am.

Aerobics. Channel 12. Want your event in Things to Come? Just call the Sentinel Action Desk at 242-5050. extension 232; mail it to Action Desk, P.O. Box 668, Grand Junction 81502; or bring it in, 734 S.

Seventh St. We felt Puget Sound had a good chance to get into the playoffs until they lost, said Eppler. Now it looks like Mesa is a sure bet and Western Oregon has an outside shot. Western Oregon is one of six teams remaining in the top 20 with only one loss. Should Western Oregon finish in the top 12, theres a strong possibility it would be Mesas first-round opponent in the playoffs because of a complicated procedure the NAIA uses in determining playoff pairings.

"Geographical proximity is used in all rounds, said Eppler. We try to pair schools which are closest to each other. There are a lot of variables we look at. Rankings have nothing to do with the pairings in the playoffs. The site of the game depends on various factors.

Money is a big variable, said Eppler. Because we dont have the luxury of having network television, 95 percent of the revenue we tighten goal. Denver won 17-16. Those who throw snowballs will be ejected and the Broncos will ask that they be prosecuted, Saccomano said. Also, we will take away the season tickets of the offending party.

The San Francisco Examiner Rick Jussel 5 ixvs ea Overtime Pagosa Springs not as lengthy a trip as Norwood to Wray or vice-versa, but possibly more Collette and, Herman White; back McKinnerny and Mike Berk. WSC and Riccio Hope of NMHU. Mesa's second-team members are: offense, Williams and Wade Mesa College players named to the all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team were: front row, from left, John Davis, Darren of Mesa, Tim Hawkridge of WSC, men Herman White of Mesa, Rob Mike Montano of NMHU and Adri- Groetzinger of FLC, Keither Ben-an Diaz of SUSC; defensive line- nett of WNMU, Rob Meeham of Broncos snowball rules Newspaper offers reward to strong-armed fan Al OMM8l)afy Santntf row, Paul Walter, Mark Miller, Daryl Andrews; defense, back Victor Du- randette; linemen Mike Sellers and Nelson; and linebacker Marchiol. Burgin said of the snowball thrower. "Fan violence and sports violence is epidemic in America and we'd like a profile of what took place and how he feels," Burgin said.

The newspaper asked that the Denver snowballer contact Executive Sports Editor Charles Cooper by noon on Friday, by calling 415-777-7750. playoffs roads were good. All of this for a high school football game under what amounts to wintery conditions a little more each day? It's time to put a stop to some of the travel, said CHSAA officials in going to the neutral sites in some instances. That's why well see the state go to this approach more and more in the future. For now, Battle Mountain and Pagosa Springs and their fans will both pack their overnight bags and meet in Salida Saturday And the teams from Norwood and Wray are going to meet in Florence.

located near Canon City and about half-way across the state for both schools. It takes away the homefield advantage edge for 50 percent of the teams, but it's not a bad maneuver. Not when you're cutting down on the hazard of road travel in this state in the late fall months. No home-field advantage for these ture we had last night, said team spokesman Jim Saccomano Tuesday. Six or so inches of snow were in the stands for the game against San Francisco.

Five people were ejected for throwing snowballs. One well-thrown snowball was blamed for making the 49ers miss a key field Mountain traveling to Pagosa, being On the Road Again in the state high school playoffs can be a lengthy process and a treacherous one if the snow decides to stick on the roads in the high country as it often does this time of year. It's bad enough for Norwood and Wray to be matched up in the Class 1A playoffs. To play each other as they did last year when Wray had to travel to Norwood, the Eagles had to go the Interstate 70 route across the Continental Divide and the entirety of the both western and eastern portions of the state. Two teams could not be farther from each other in this state unless we re talking maybe Moffat County of Craig and Trinidad, two schools located catty-cornered from each other in 4he northwest and southeast If you're Steve Moran and you coach Battle Mountain, you're even more worried about having to get to posted a reward for the Denver fan with the strong arm whose well-aimed snowball played a key role in the Bronco victory.

It will pay $500 to the thrower for his or her story, if it can be corroborated by two witnesses, Editor Dave Burgin said Tuesday. "He must have a heck of an arm." Let's get out our map for this one. To get from Minturn to Pagosa Springs the easiest way, it would be south to Leadville and Salida via Colorado 24, a scenic route along the Arkansas River as you drive by-most of Colorado's 14.000-foot-plus mountain peaks Then it would be Colorado 285 to Hot Springs, then onto Colorado 17 to Alamosa, then back toward the west and Monte Vista and Del Norte and finally, just after you drive past the Wolf Creek Pass sign on Colorado 160. into Pagosa Springs It's a 225-mile-plus trip, loaded with twists, turns and, surely at this time of year, ice and snow. Of course, if you didn't want to get there that way you could, well, you could go through Utah and attack Pagosa from the west, or go over the Continental Divide to the Eastern Slope and come at it from the east Either way would take upwards of a full day, even if all the Heres the problem: Youre the Battle Mountain High School football team and you've got to get to Pagosa Springs to play a state playoff game.

Another problem: Youre the Norwood High School football team and you've got a state playofT game against the team from Wray High School. As someone once said, You cant get there from here," especially if the roads are a mess due to snow and ice. The solution, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association: Let's play these games at neutral sites. Thank goodness, say the teams slated to be traveling. Oh shucks, say the homestanders.

A nice bit of Solomonship, Be it Norwood going to Wray, Wray going to Norwood, Pagosa traveling to Minturn or Battle i.