What a September! Week four wrapped-up an opening month for the ages and it has become rapidly apparent that the 2008 title is going to be up for grabs with with at least 8 squads having a realistic shot should their stars line-up! The men of Troy came up big again with their defeat of the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers and several other squads served notice that they are going to be tough in October and beyond! It is a lock that Seaquam, Boyd, Tweesmuir, S. Delta, Marriot and Mission will be playoff bound with the Dukes of Windsor starting to make some noise. Off across Georgia Straight beneath the mountains and clouds there are two or three Island squads starting to gather momentum as well! Another great week ahead folks!
Week Four Scores
Friday, September 26th
Hugh Boyd 16 Lord Tweedsmuir 9
Windsor 35 Handsworth 0
Earl Marriot 15 Frank Hurt 13
Clarence Fulton 12 Norkam 11
Saturday, September 27th
John Barsby 32 Mt. Boucherie 12
South Delta 47 Rick Hansen 13Mission 41 Langley 20
Mt. Douglas (AAA) 22 Ballenas 14
Timberline 38 Belmont 6
Vernon 26 Valleyview 6
South Kamloops (AAA) 56 Nanaimo District 35
WL Seaton 6 Penticton 0
Gridiron's Week 5 Top Ten
- Seaquam SeaHawks (3-1)
- Hugh Boyd Trojans (3-1)
- Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers (3-1)
- South Delta Sundevils (3-1)
- Ballenas Whalers (2-1-1)
- Earl Marriot Mariners (2-2)
- John Barsby Bulldogs (4-0)
- Mission Roadrunners (3-1)
- Windsor Dukes (2-2)
- Timberline Wolves (1-3)
Gridiron's Week 5 Picks
Week 5
Friday, 3 October
Earl Marriot vs Mission
A week ago I would have picked the Mariners in this one but after a tight contest versus the Frank Hurt Hornets and Mission’s week-to-week improvement, I have to recalibrate. Marriot has the more physical of the two rosters but the Roadrunner’s speedy, no-huddle, passing ways are tough to tangle with. Turnovers are the wild-card in this contest. If the weather is decent Mission will prevail. If there is rain and wind.....it’s anyone’s game.
Gridiron’s Pick: Mission by 8
Norkam vs Vernon
Who would have thought this would be a big game with playoff implications for both squads. Norkam has been playing a tough schedule this year and it will be in their corner when they play the Panthers.
Gridiron’s Pick: Norkam 28 Vernon 26
Burnaby Central vs Frank Hurt
The Hornets have been playing some seriously tough ball and they are due for a payday. Burnaby Central is going to be shelling out some serious payment. If those Hornets can get a surprise W or two (I think they just might too) down the line in their schedule, they could sneak into the playoffs.
Gridiron’s Pick: Frank Hurt by 34
Langley vs South Delta
South Delta had better put the ball in the air all day long because if they run the ball and get into a slugging contest with Langley, they may win but will be tenderized for big contests in October. The Sun-Devils will be too much to handle in this one for their plucky opponents.
Gridiron’s Pick: South Delta 38 Langley 12
Hugh Boyd vs Windsor
Does Hugh Boyd still have gas in the tank after the greatest September in recent memory? Wow have they been through the crucible!! The Dukes are getting into fine mid-season form headed into this contest. Here is my take on the game. The coaching is a draw, both teams are pretty healthy and they know each other inside-out. Unless Windsor has some hidden mojo outside their power-I and option game they are in tough. Hugh Boyd has more and better athletes/team speed. That will be the difference.
Gridiron’s Pick: Hugh Boyd34 Windsor 7
Saturday, 4 October
Ballenas vs Belmont
I was surprised a bit by the lopsided loss by Belmont to Timberline last weekend. They obviously struggle with the deep ball and paid dearly for it. I was equally, but pleasantly surprised by how close Ballenas played AAA Mt. Douglas. The Whalers are a two headed monster on offense. They can pass and run. Worse for the improving but vanilla Belmont squad, the Whalers can run and pass out of just about any formation you can think of. Defensively, the Whalers will match-up well against the Belmont running attack. If you missed the Canada Day fireworks in July, head up to Parksville this Saturday and enjoy the show.
Gridiron’s Pick: Ballenas 48 Belmont 6
Okanagen Mission vs Valleyview
OKM is getting healthy and returning to last season’s form. Valleyview is no slouch in the Interior division either. I like the Huskies passing attack to give them the edge in an otherwise tough game.
Gridiron’s Pick: OKM 27 Valleyview 24
Penticton High vs W.L. Seaton
Seaton wins this one because of experience, experience, experience. New team blues for Penticton in 2008 but they keep showing up and learning. It’s worth it guys, you are laying down the foundation for those who come after you and subsequent squads should be eternally grateful!
Gridiron’s Pick: Seaton by 28.
Timberline vs John Barsby
Barsby took round 1 of this game down in the cage a week ago. Round two is in Timberline’s back yard and every coach knows that it is extremely hard to play the same team twice and follow up a victory with another victory. Sometimes, no matter what you say to the players, they seem to think that the scoreboard from the last game still counts. Timberline can run and throw out of their spread with great effectiveness and the big play from the Wolves can come at any given moment and leaves opposing teams holding their breath on every possession. Barsby loves to grapple and scrap for four quarters. A new addition to the Timberline coaching staff will likely be heard and quite possibly felt in this dust-up. Welcome back Coach Koehler!
Rick Hansen vs Lord Tweedsmuir
This is a huge test for Rick Hansen. Simply put, are they contenders or pesky also-rans. Tweedsmuir has to be smarting after this past weekend’s game. The green and white steam-roller is gnashing its teeth and if I am a betting man, it is boot camp and blocking/tackling drills all week. B-Gap on Saturday is going to be a dangerous place to reside come game day.
Gridiron’s Pick: Lord Tweedsmuir 46 Rick Hansen 13
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