Sunday, September 26, 2010

GI's Week Four Picks

Gridiron's Week Four Picks

Week Three In Review

Mission gave AAA powerhouse STM all they could handle at Burnaby lakes on Friday Night; Handsworth and Windsor served clear notice that the top seed coming out of the LM East will cross their doorsteps; Sands powered and plowed their way over the Whalers; Barsby scored big, and two very close games in the form of Langley-Abbey and Seaquam-Boyd were hard fought down south.

Up North, PGSS and Kelley road served notice to their conference that they will be the teams to reckon with and in the Interior final preparations for the regular season have been made.

Tier 2 saw its biggest upset of the young season with Howe Sound defeating the previously high scoring and unstoppable Robert Bateman at home; The defending champs out of Campbell River flexed their muscles an gained a measure of redemption vs the plucky Gulf Islands Scorpions of Saltspring Island; In the Comox Valley Civil War Mark Isfeld went down in the windy Bill Moore Park 20-14 against arch rivalG.P. Vanier in a hard fought game.   Congratulations Towhees!   

GI's AA Top Five -Week 4-

1.  Windsor
2.  Sands
3.  Mission
4.  Handsworth
5.  John Barsby

GI's Tier 2 Top Five -Week 4-

1.  Howe Sound
2.  Robert Bateman
3.  Moscrop
4.  Frank Hurt
5.  Timberline

Week 4 Prieview


Wednesday Games

Kelley Road at Nechako Valley: Kelley Road is coming into its own.  Early season travel has paid dividends and there is much momentum headed into Wednesday's tilt.
GI's Pick: Roadrunners become Road Stompers and squash their hosts by 28.

Thursday Games

Correllieu at Prince George: A very nice looking win for the Polars vs College Heights!  PGSS brings too much size and speed for Correllieu to handle.
GI's Pick: Polars by 34

Friday Games

South Delta at John Barsby: A well rested Sundevil squad travels to Nanaimo to play the high scoring Bulldogs of Barsby.  South Delta cancelled its game vs Holy Cross to lick its wounds and gain an extra week of prep for its league opener.  The respective rosters are very evenly matched and the extra week of practice will help SD immensely as it tangles with Barsby's unconventional offense.  Defensively, the host Dawgs are in tough vs the SD aerial assault and quick hitting running game.  Turnovers and the ability of JB to handle the arsenal of Sundevil trick-plays will be major factors in determining Friday's winner.
GI's Pick: Barsby by 6
Abbottsford Collegiate at Windsor:  Windsor took care of its busniness against Hansen this past weekend in typical methodical, mistake free fashion.  Abbottsford only has a chance in this one if they can get the edge in their PAP game.  They won't be able to.
GI's Pick: Windsor by 34

Handsworth at Rick Hansen: GI has been watching the Royals this year with increasingly raised eyebrows! Traditionally slow out of the gates, Handsworth has been having nothing to do with the historical script!  The Hurricanes are in for a tough start to 2010 and must look for any positives/momentum that they can glean from this tilt.  Things will get better in the coming weeks for RH but this week is going to be nasty in all three phases of the game. Look for a bigger score in this game than last week's Windsor tilt.
GI's Pick: Handsworth by 36

Clarence Fulton at Okanagen Mission:  This has the makings of an Interior bear knuckles brawl so-to-speak.  The OKM pivot is a stud and he has some good linemen in front of him!  IF the Huskies can find a running game, this game will be favorable to them offensively.  Fulton has not been ducking tough competition and has held together as a team.  League competition this weekend represents a payday of sorts and the hosts will let er rip.
GI's Pick: Fulton by 6

Ballenas at Hugh Boyd: The Whalers played Sands tough this past Saturday and found many bright spots along the way.  Boyd was in a four-quarter dogfight with regional rival Seaquam the same afternoon.  In terms of roster athleticism, this is a very, very evenly matched contest across the board.  Looking at video, Ballenas seems to have a slight advantage in the passing game while Boyd's power running favors the Trojans.  Turnovers , special teams and the ability of Ballenas to travel well will affect the outcome.  The Whalers will get behind coverage more than once.
GI's Pick: Ballenas by 2

Dutchess Park at College Heights: Dutchess Park is getting stronger each week.  College Heights has an air of exhaustion to them.
GI's Pick: Condors by 27

Howe Sound at Moscrop: Tier 2 game of the week!  If Howe Sound were hosting I'd say this would be a lock.  They are not hosting however and Moscrop is a very good tier 2 squad.  The difference maker in this game is Defense with a capital D and The Sounders took care of business vs Bateman last weekend.  This game will be close but I like the Howe Sound defense as the difference maker.
GI's Pick: Howe Sound by 4

Belmont at G.P. Vanier: Belmont has lots and lots of athletic talent on its roster.  These guys are learning to put it all together as well.    Vanier matches em athlete for athlete but are not as fluid on offense.
GI's Pick: Belmont by 12

Saturday Games

Langley at Mission: "The Saints go Marching On"...sadly for them, in this game they go marching on like lemmings over a tall cliff.  Mission is dominant in every phase of this game and their pre-season schedule which was tougher than a boiled owl, will stand them in good stead as they host a rapidly improving Langley program/squad.  There is a feeling around Mission that this is the year for the Roadrunners and well, that feeling is justified so far. 

GI's Pick: Langley's run game gets smothered, Mission airs it out...Roadrunners by 26 plus.

Pitt Meadows at Seaquam: If you follow Seaquam football, you are going to be in for a lot of close, hard fought games in 2010.  This will be no exception as the blitz happy Marauders come for an exhibition visit.  Seaquam will blend some of Handsworth's tactical approach into their own schemes and it will be enough for a close margin of victory.
GI's Pick: Seaquam by 8

Mark Isfeld at Gulf Islands: Isfeld brings too much size and speed to the contest for the Scorpions to handle defensively.  The eveners in this game will be the Scorpion Wing-T and whether or not Isfeld tries to get fancy offensively.  If they do, Gulf Islands has a knack over the years of keeping things close til late and then stinging opponents with a score they cannot recover from.  Isfeld beware.
GI's Pick: Isfeld by 7

Westsyde at Mt. Baker: Mt. Baker is improving.  Not enough.
GI's Pick: Westsyde by 14

Frank Hurt at Robert Bateman: This game will hinge on Frank Hurt's ability to make Batemen move the ball in ways other than a handoff or pitch to their outstanding tailback.  If the Hornets can dominate time of posession they will also have another winning piece in place. If, If, If....too many of em.
GI's Pick: Bateman by 14

Nanaimo District @ Timberline:  A big Island rivalry up in Campbell River!  NDSS has played a very tough pre-season in very tough fashion.  Timberline is really getting its legs under itself.  The Barsby game was extremely physical.  NDSS is banged up.  The Wolves are not.
GI's Pick: Timberline by 16

Friday, September 24, 2010

Junior Varsity and 8's

Here Is a Big Shout Out To Everyone's JV's and 8's!

Not Long Ago Fellas, Not Long Ago!!
High Hopes and Big Dreams!  God Bless!!

AAA and AA JV Now Ranked Every Thursday in The Province!
http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/blogs/high_school_hamper/default.aspx


Saturday Week 3!

Friday has by and large turned in it's scores.  Windsor dismembered Hansen methodically, Langley squeaked by Abbey in a defensive stalemate and Barsby ripped it up in Nanaimo.

Saturday is where the bulk of this week's contests reside: Time to get it on; Time to measure; no lies inside those holy sideline boundary's"  Saturday is definitely alright for fighting!!




Sunday, September 19, 2010

GI's Week Three Picks

Week 3 Baby...Opening Divisional Statements To Be Made!

Divisional play begins this week for many teams.  Based on performances during weeks zero thru two, it is fair to say that there are games already with playoff implications.  The parity in the two LM/Coastal conferences at AA is very notable and Tier 2 is not far off either.  It is fair to say that opening losses could put a couple squads behind the playoff eight ball right out of the gates.  Sunday night game video will be highly scrutinized by coaching staffs around the province! One exhibition game of note will be Mission's Saturday tilt versus AAA STMC. This is a bellweather game for Mission as its strengths and weaknesses will become transparent.  Kudos to Coach Watrin for scheduling this, no sandbagging here!  A prediction....Handsworth-Pitt is going to determine who will be #3 seed in their division.
GI’s AA Top 5

1. Windsor
2. Sands
3. Mission
4. Handsworth
5. John Barsby

GI’s Tier 2 Top 5

1. Robert Bateman
2. Frank Hurt
3. Howe Sound
4. Moscrop
5. Timberline

Week 2 Synopsys

Windsor, Pitt and Mission roll over AAA! Sands nearly pulls off a once in the decade upset over defending AAA champ Centennial and Bateman serves notice that it is the team to beat in Tier 2.  The table is set for upcoming divisional tilts!

GI’s Week 3 Picks

Friday, September 24th

Nanaimo District @ John Barsby: The tenth annual Ray Kocher Classic rivalry game between these two South Nanaimo Schools will be played on Friday afternoon in Barsby's Canem Cage Stadium.  Each year, both teams bring their best to the dance and it is always played with tons of heart and enthusiasm. This game will be no different and will certainly have The Islanders well seasoned for divisional play ahead.  Barsby has been on a roll in all three phases of its game and is scoring points by the bushell. 

GI's Pick: Barsby by 20

Valleyview @ Moscrop: Valleyview has cut no corners in pre-season play.  Moscrop is huge and in year two of its wing-T attack.  This will be a battle with the outcome hinging on the health of the Vikings roster after two rough and tumble tilts to start the year.

GI's Pick: Valleyview in a small upset by 7

Salmon Arm @ NorKam: The Golds are banged up but battle tested.  A tough loss to Mt. Boucherie has em used to a close quarters grappling match but how much gas is left in the tank?  Norkam is ascendent and fresh.

GI's Pick: Norkam by 6

Abbottsford Collegiate @ Langley: OK, the victors of the year's first big upset tangle with conference foe Langley at Langley's house.  This will be a very, very close match-up athletically and schematically.  Abbottsford has serious esprit-de-corps momentum heading into the game and are getting their PAP together.  Langley cannot take this one off.

GI's Pick: The winner of this game will have an outside shot at the #4 playoff seed.  The loser is in trouble.  Abby by 7.

Rick Hansen @ Windsor: Yikes, the Hurricanes will roll into the Dukes court like a gentle breeze and will suffer the fate of most if not all of the Windsor AA opponents this year.  If you have ever watched those nature shows of a praying mantis methodically dismantling its unfortunate prey, you get a picture of what the Duke offense is going to do.  Defensively, the Dukes will be sound underneath their cover three tent.  Hansen will play hard and be well coached, they are just sitting at the table with a poker pro holding a bad hand.

GI's Pick: Windsor by 22

Pitt Meadows @ Handsworth: This is going to be a fun one!  Will the blitz happy and energetic Pitt Meadows crew be able to squeeze off the Handsworth Toss, Counter, Bootleg game.  Look for the Royals to be hitting em fast and hard inside looking to pop big runs as the blitze washes over.  There are going to be big plays offensively for the Royals interspersed with some negative yardage plays as the Marauders hit paydirt with their attacking defense.  I reckon a screen or two will be thrown as well.  Defensively, the Royals will be all over the deep pass and will pick-off more than one while forcing Pitt to run and chuck the short stuff.  Turnovers will be decisive and Pitt cannot afford to let Handsworth get off to a quick start.

GI's Pick: Handsworth by 16

PGSS @ College Heights: College Heights has been on the road battling across the province since zero week.  PG has taken homebound approach.  The Cougars can only have improved week to week thus far with many kinks ironed out of their scheme.
GI's Pick: College Heights by 14

Correlieu @ Kelley Road: Kelley Road has been playing a lot of football these past three weeks.  Correlieu has not.  The northern Roadrunners will send the Quesnel crew kicking rocks and mumbling back down the highway.

GI's Pick: Kelley Road by 24

Gulf Islands @ Timberline: Timberline is 0-2, but has played increasingly tough competition the past two weeks.  The Wolves have to figure out how to stop the run if they expect to minimize a run happy Scorpion Offense.  I think two weeks of experience will stand them in good stead.

GI's Pick: Scorpions have a lot of summer rust.  Timberline by air wins by 14


Saturday, September 25th

South Delta @ Holy Cross (AAA): Holy Cross will be too physical for the Sundeviles en route to a convincing victory in all phases of the game.  A loss to AA newcomer Abbottsford Collegiate has the Sundevils reeling a bit though it did look like there were some key Sundevil starters out of uniform on Friday.

GI's Pick: Holy Cross by 28

W.L. Seaton @ Kalmalka: There is simply very little known about either team.  GI is going to leave it as a phantom game and ask that readers from the Vernon area post some thoughts on the comments section.
GI's Pick: ????

Dutchess Park @ Westsyde: Dutchess Park ought to switch their name from the Condors to the "Road Warriors".  Three weeks of travel will certainly stand this group in good stead and provide a profound sense of identity!  Both schools are similar in size so the athletic match-up will be pretty even.

GI's Pick: Dutchess Park by 7

STMC (AAA) @ Mission: Game of the week here involving an AA squad.  Mission is the real deal and it has all the athletic and coaching pieces to not only compete with this traditional AAA powerhouse, but to win.  Lets face it, other than giant schools like Fox, Centennial and Mouat that combine great coaching/program organization year after year to go along with their draw of athletes and of course the athletes that show up at VC, the top teams in AA can play with and defeat much (maybe not all) of the  overhyped AAA window dressing out there.  Week after week this is evidenced each year in pre-season.

GI's Pick: Mission by 10

Clarence Fulton @ Mount Boucherie (AAA): The Bears have a good football team on their hands, no doubt about it.  Fulton is wise however to play them as this will help them prepare for the regular season at a winning level. 

GI's Pick: Mt. Boucherie by 21

Ballenas @ Sands: Mad respect and a big shout out to the Scorpions for their game vs AAA Centenial.  You guys took em to the mat and almost pulled it off!  Parksville's Whalers are in tough against the Scorpions and are going to have to do everything they can to finnesse their way around the Scorpion defense.  Sands will play its power ball game and the Whalers will likely substitute heavily and try to minimize shoving matches with plenty of fronts, stunts and blitzes.  Trick plays may be evidenced in this game as well.

GI's Pick: Sands is too strong, Scorpions by 28

Hugh Boyd @ Seaquam: A good old fashioned neighborhood dust-up this Saturday.  Seaquam will not be confused by shifts and motion and they have played a tougher pre-season.  At a visceral level, the Seahawks are the tough-guys in the match-up as well.  Bad day ahead for Troy.

GI's Pick: Seaquam by 24

Mark Isfeld @ G.P. Vanier: The Comox Valley Civil War.  Vanier has dominated this series over the years.  Little bro Isfeld has a pretty talented squad and the athletic differential is not as marked as in years past.  2010 is the year for the Ice.

GI's Pick: Isfeld by 3

Belmont @ Edward Milne: Belmont is much better than what last week's score would indicate.  They have also gotten two games against good competition under their belt.  Time to take it out on the crew that resides down the western road.

GI's Pick: Belmont by 20

Robert Bateman @ Howe Sound: Bateman has one of the top 3 running backs at any level of play in BC.  He is learning to play football and his supporting cast is developing around him.  Howe Sound will get run over like poorly armed infantry in front of a batallion of Abrams tanks.  Long day on the coast for the Sounders.

GI's Pick: Bateman by 34

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Chill TunesThe Night Before The Game



All Hail Chill Tunes!  Night before the game, can't sleep, thinkin scenarios, toss-turn -grind teeth-make it come sooner!  Can't stand the wait!!  Calm me down with a lullaby...

Chill, think, get your guts balanced, mind wired tight and then be ready for Wake Up!

Game Day Baby!!!!!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

GI's Picks Week 2

GI's Provincial Rankings

AA Varsity

1. Windsor
2. Mission
3. Handsworth
4. Sands
5. John Barsby

Tier 2

1. Robert Bateman
2. Nanaimo District
3. Belmont
4. Howe Sound
5. Moscrop

Week 1 saw a couple upsets in Tier 2 and a foretaste of things to come at AA varsity.  A couple AAA teams went down in flames courtesay of Mission and Hugh Boyd as well!  Week two will be the last week of exhibition play for many AA squads and is the last opportunity to get the engines tuned up for league competition.

GI's Week Two Picks

Friday, 17 September

Windsor @ Lord Tweedsmuir: The Dukes and Panthers dust it up Friday at LT's house in a replay of the 2005 BC Championship game.  The coaches remain the same but the casts are different.  This one will go to the wire with LT having the advantage in size and break-away speed.  The Dukes are methodical, largely mistake free and will have thoroughly prepared for their opponent.  The difference here will be turnovers.  If LT hangs on to the ball they will squeak this one out.

GI's Pick: LT by 3

Invermere @ Mt. Baker: Tough call on this one.  GI thinks that Invermere has some organizational mojo and program enthusiasm that is detectable across four mountain ranges to the coast.  Gotta go with The Horns on this one in the battle for the Rockey Mountain Trench.

GI's Pick: Invermere by 10

Langley @ OKM: Big win for the Saints last weekend, tough loss for the Huskies.  Langley has tons of momentum and a deeper bench.  OKM is tenderized and short benched.  The Huskies are talented however and quite large up front with a tough and competitive QB under center. 

GI's Pick: Langley by 17 in a game that with an agonizing second half for the outmanned Huskies.

Abbottsford Collegiate @ South Delta: Both of these squads faced the same competition last weekend vs two visiting Alberta squads in a jamboree setting.  South Delta won its games and Abby did not.  There will be no secrets heading into this game for either squad.  The Sundevils are big up front and their defensive line brings pressure all day.  This will be a physical mismatch from the opening whistle.

GI's Pick: South Delta by 24 plus.

South Kamloops (AAA) @ Mission: The Roadrunner have played tougher competition than anyone but Windsor in week 1 and 2.  This squad is GI's number two team in BC at present at the AA level.  South Kamloops played to a low scoring tie vs Valleyview (Whats up with that?) last weekend.  Now they travel to Mission.  The Roadrunners will be all over em, all afternoon!

GI's Pick: Mission by 18

West Vancouver @ Pitt Meadows: West Vancouver is in decline, Pitt is a small but highly competitive and plucky group.  I love the Marauder energy and mojo!  Pitt will bring a pace and energy the Highlanders will not be able to deal with.

GI's Pick: Pitt by 10

Frank Hurt @ Nanaimo District: OK Frank Hurt, an apology is due.  I thought this would be the year that you changed your name from the Hornets to theTrailer Park Boys version..."The Dump Bees".  Well, you sure as hec dispelled that thought when you went out and laid a stingin on G.P. Vanier last week!  Good job and great to hear that your rebuild is in stride!  Nanaimo District however is at home and spoiling for a good dust-up after a tough road game vs Tier 2's number 1 ranked Robert Bateman.  Look for lots of scoring in this game!

GI's Pick: Nanaimo District by 10

John Barsby @ Belmont: Belmont played noticeably better vs Ballenas last Friday than they did in the Island Jamboree a few short months ago.  The offensive line is HUGE and the defensive line really brings it off the edge.  The Belmont offense has big play potential as well!  Barsby has been a juggernaut in weeks zero and one.  This game has become a bit of a rivalry over the past couple years and Friday will add to the narrative.  Belmont is going to be on home turf and will come out of the gates very physical.  Barsby will have to play within themselves and not get caught in the atmosphere.

GI's Pick: Barsby by 21

Rick Hansen @ Mt. Boucherie (AAA): I like this match-up!  The talent on the field will be very similar and Hansen is well rested headed into a big road game.  Mt. Boucherie is at home and plays tough in town.  Hansen will have to come ready to defend a solid Bear running game.  The Bears had better be able to adjust to shifts and multi-formations.  The edge on special teams goes to Rick Hansen.

GI's Pick: Hansen by 3

Saturday, 18 September

Westsyde @ College Heights: College Heights has to have gotten tougher after Zero Week's road campaign.  Westsyde is making a wise decision by looking North for exhibition competition.  Westsyde is a veteren program, the Cougars are still trying to figure this thing out.

GI's Pick: Westsyde by 14

Dutchess Park @ Howe Sound: Dutchess Park is on a learning curve that will take them places over time provided they don't lose their religion along the way!  The Condors are gamers and have road trip experience.  Howe Sound is tier 2 upper-crust and playing at home with a big bench.  The Sounders will be too much for the visitors to handle.

GI's Pick: Howe Sound by 18

Centennial (AAA) @ Sands: The Scorpions are taking no short-cuts in their quest to improve.  Scheduling the returning AAA champs is proof of this!  Sands is coming off of a solid win on Saturday @ Pitt Meadows as well.  Centennial has probably been sitting on cushioned seats after the spanking they suffered down in Idaho.  The Centaurs are not used to this and will be looking to get back some of their winning mojo vs Sands.  A talented and deep Centennial squad will likely hand it to a tough, talented but very short benched Scorpion group in the second half.

GI's Pick: Centennial by 21

Handsworth @ Valleyview:  This is surely an "up year" for both teams.  Athletically, there are a lot of even match-ups as well!  The difference is continuity of system, league quality and Coach Jay Prepchuck.  Handsworth comes up top-rail on the fence in all three instances. 

GI's Pick: Handsworth by 28

G.P. Vanier @ Ballenas: Hey Vanier, Ballenas is a huge step-up from Frank Hurt, you better have a lights out week of practice if you want to compete this Saturday.  Vanier has the raw athletes in this game and as individuals, probably the meaner ones as well.  Ballenas has the collective Whaler Brain Trust as a coaching staff and their players will have the "Football IQ" as a result.  Look for the Whalers to blitz the Vanier Offense into submission and tie the Towhee defense in knots with offensive finesse.

GI's Pick: Ballenas by 34

Westsyde @ Kalmalka: Error on the BCSSFA schedule or real game!!!??? If it is real, I am going to take Kalmalka in a close one.

GI's Pick: Kal by 3

Kelley Road @ Hugh Boyd: Good on the northern Roadrunners for scheduling this game.  You play up to your competition fellas and Boyd is a great way to do this.  The Trojans knocked off a much larger group from AAA Rutland last weekend and their ever shifting and quick hitting offense will likely be too much for the Roadrunners to come to grip with.  Hugh Boyd also looked good on special teams and defense.  Kelley Road is still on a steep learning curve.  Sometimes, learning is a tough thing.

GI's Pick: Hugh Boyd by 34

Kelowna @ Seaquam: There is much common coaching DNA and mutual respect in this one.  Last year, Seaquam won this tilt.  This year is different; The Kelowna Lofflers have been on a roll since the summer 7 on 7 and bring too much athleticism for the very tough SeaHawks to bottle-up for four quarters.  If I were a AAA competitor of the KSS team, I would surely look to see what Seaquam tries to do to slow down their superstar.  On the flip-side Kelowna,  all eggs in one basket is not only dangerous, but other important aspects of team training and cohesiveness can fall by the wayside and haunt you in November.  The current formula is working for you now though.

GI's Pick: Kelowna by 28


Robert Bateman @ Timberline: Bateman goes on the road for the first time.  Campbell River is a good trip with lots of great scenery along the way.  When the ball gets kicked-off however, things will change rom a bucolic scenic trip, to something out of Dante's Inferno.  Lots of noise, controversy and unfriendly home fans await you.  Timberline is also ascendent.  If the Wolves can slow down the Bateman Tailback phenom, they have a legitimate shot at an upset.  Timberline needs to find some offensive spark as well.  Bateman is methodically and soundly building on a huge innaugural season.  They will trip and stumble a bit on Saturday but they will prevail.

GI's Pick: Bateman by 16

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Message From On Top


Please check out the first edition of the BCSSFA Newsletter for 2010 on http://www.bchighschoolfootball.com/
CTV is hoping to get all players to join their Facebook Group. All they have to do is search High School Heroes on Facebook and the page should come up.

here is the promo for CTV's high school hero's for this year
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100820/bc_highschool_heroes_100820/20100907?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
and Howards Province School zone....players love this stuff posted
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/high-school-zone/index.html



High School Heros TV/Web Media

Hey Gang, CTV News is now running an awesome website/segment on BC High School Football!


CTV News is pleased to announce that in September we will be introducing a new weekly sports segment.
Official High School Heroes website
By: Kelcey Brade, ctvbc.ca
Date: Tuesday Sep. 7, 2010 5:16 PM PT

CTV News is pleased to announce that in September we will be introducing a new weekly sports segment. We call it High School Heroes, and it will celebrate school pride and the grassroots of football in our province.
Every Friday this fall, dozens of high schools from across B.C. will put their bragging rights on the line in a game of football. These intense battles on the gridiron not only unite the players in uniform, but they also bring together students, parents and fans in an ultimate show of school spirit.
High School Heroes will go beyond the players involved in the game. It will stretch into the hallways and classrooms of your school. A high school hero can be anyone, not just the star quarterback. It can be someone who has accomplished something great in the area of academics, a promising young musician or a student who gives back by volunteering.
Every Monday during the football season, the two teams involved in the upcoming High School Heroes Game of the Week will be announced live on CTV News at Six. Throughout the remainder of the week, CTV will be previewing the Friday night matchup with stories about the players and their schools.
The first High School Heroes Game of the Week will happen on Friday, Sept. 10. Sports Director Perry Solkowski will be live on location from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. counting down to kick-off with live interviews and feature stories.  Every Friday from Sept. 17 until the Championship finals in December, Solkowski or sportscaster Jason Pires will be reporting live from the Game of the Week school in the Lower Mainland or the Fraser Valley. You can also watch the Game of the Week highlights, features and all the scores on CTV News at 11:30. Weekly highlights, feature stories, a football insiders blog and photo galleries will also be available on the High School Heroes site.
We'll be offering fans the chance to get involved on a week-to-week basis with High School Heroes in three more ways:
MyNews: If you happen to capture an amazing touchdown pass, a bone-crunching hit or crazy fans we want you to send those pictures or videos to MyNews.
Facebook: You can show your school spirit by visiting the High School Heroes Facebook page, where you can upload pictures and videos and meet new friends.

Twitter: Help provide up-to-the-minute updates about the B.C. high school football games you attend by tweeting about it. Connect with us on Twitter using the hash-tag #highschoolheroes.

And finally, if you know a high school hero in your community, nominate them. Email us (highschoolheroes@ctv.ca) their story and they could end up being featured on High School Heroes.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Boise State vs VA Tech

http://www.justin.tv/james3412#/w/368730784/2   Inspirational!!!

Gridiron's Week 1 Picks

Friday, 10 September

Timberline (Tier2) @ Langley: Last year's Tier 2 champions square off against a Langley squad that is one year from AAA play.  Timberline is a different squad this year than it was 10 short months ago.  Langley is looking for a strong year in AA now that the program has reached a degree of maturity.  GI thinks Timberline is going to have a bad case of travel legs prior to being outmatched athlete for athlete.  The difference maker however, will be Timberline's finesse game.  If the Wolves can protect their quarterback, this will be a high scoring affair.  That may be a lot to ask from a new offensive line.

GI's Pick: Langley by 21

Nanaimo District (Tier 2) at Robert Bateman (Tier 2): Tier 2 game of the week.  Bateman has a game in the bag after crushing a hapless College Heights squad this past Thursday.  There is certainly some newfound confidence to go along with the enthusiasm of a 1-0 brand new program.  Nanaimo District is a veteren crew with lots of team speed however and if they keep turnovers to a minimum, they are GI's pick to win this tilt.

GI's Pick: Nanaimo District by 6

Holy Cross (AAA) @ Mission: This game is going to be a bit of a "canary in the coalmine" event for AAA Holy Cross.  The Crusaders made a last second pitch to join AA varsity play at the AGM in January, but did not have their I's dotted and T's crossed.  Mission is certainly AA elite in terms of program strength and this game will tell us all a whole bunch as to tier competitiveness and the long-term prospects of the Holy Cross program.  Mission has a deeper bench and more athletes.  Coaching is equal.

GI's Pick: Mission by 16

Rutland (AAA) @ Hugh Boyd: This contest will be very evently matched and the coaches who scheduled it have both made good choices.  Rutland is a very big school and the athletes that step on to the field will reflect the building's draw.  Hugh Boyd will step on to the turf with a squad that is reflective of the coaching continuity and solid program foundation of the Richmond perennial.  Look for a very close game in the first half followed by some third and fourth quarter Trojan fireworks.

GI's Pick: Hugh Boyd by 8

Pinetree @ Rick Hansen: Pinetree picked a mighty tough year to enter AA ball and "rebuild" the program.  Rick Hansen though it has graduated many fine players from last year's squad, has a lot of program momentum and coaching continuity use as a foundation for this year's campaign.  The Hurricanes will play solid defense this Friday and be opportunistic with the big pass as it comes available.  Hansen has a game under its belt already and will have a lot of kinks out of the system by kick-off.  Pinetree is walking into a tough one.

GI's Pick: Rick Hansen by 18

South Kamloops AAA @ Valleyview: The Titans are the top dog in the city of Kamloops.  Too many athletes, too much size and too much speed for the Vikings to handle out of the gates.  A good opportunity for Valleyview to bring its best game and play up.  For the Titans, lots of opportunities to get the roster some experience.

GI's Pick: South Kamloops by 34

Ballenas @ Belmont (Tier 2): The spring game between these two squads was fairly close.  This game is either going to be a Ballenas blowout or a very tight affair that could go either way.  What will be the deciding factor?  Quite simply, does Belmont have the patience and tenacity to play power football.  They surely have the roster for such a style of play.  Teams that try to play cat and mouse with Ballenas and win by finesse are going to have long, long days on the field. 

GI's Pick: Ballenas by 28

Sands @ Pitt Meadows: These teams know each other pretty well from last year's conference battle and there will be an edge to this game.  This game will also represent a clash between two offensive styles of play.  Pitt likes to air the ball out and Sands likes to hammer its foes with power running.  If Pitt can find some offense via the air, this one will be close.  Sands will not have the biggest bench and if they get in a full out track-meet, how much gas will be in the tank.  It is early in the season though and just how good is the Pitt air-assault really going to be?

GI's Pick: Sands by 16

Saturday, September 11th

Okanagen Mission @ John Barsby: This game has become a neat little rivalry over the past three years with OKM winning in 2007 and Barsby winning in 2008.  There is a pattern to these results beyond the split...the home team has won on each occasion.  This said, look for a solid outing from the visiting Huskies!  Barsby has one game under its belt thus far and the improvement from week one to week two is usually a big one in such cases.  OKM will be in tough inside "The Cage" in south Nanaimo.

GI's Pick: Barsby by 14

Windsor @ Mt. Douglas (AAA): Both of these teams are coming off of dominant victories south of the border.  This is also a re-match of last year's BC Championship game!  Windsor returns all but one of its starters from that game while the Rams have reloaded with a great crew of battle hardened JV's from the 2009 squad.  Look for a lot of difficulty moving the ball inside the Windsor defense and for the Mt. Douglas defensive line to be taken to the matt.  Windsor does not make a lot of mistakes and this will always keep games close.  What will break the deadlock however is Mt. Douglas's big play ability.  I just do not think that Windsor wins the speed match-ups.

GI's Pick: Mt. Douglas by 21

Handsworth @ Carson Graham (AAA): The Royals are notorious slow starters and have been getting whacked pretty regularly in the Buchannan Bowl.  This said, Handsworth is fielding its best varsity squad since 2007 and I think they know it.  The level of play will be up for certain.  Carson has been spinning their tires of late (the past 7-9 years) and Dome celebrations are all but a distant memory.  Look for a close game most of the way with Handsworth pulling off a minor upset.

GI's Pick: Handsworth by 4

Kelowna (AAA) @ Clarence Fulton: The Maroons have one of their better than average squads this year but so does Kelowna!  The Owls are playing ball at a level they have not previously experienced as a program and it is quite simply going to be a long, tough day for Fulton.  The first quarter will be particularly tough on the Maroons as Kelowna has a game under their belt already and the home squad has to be carefull of a blowout score by half-time.

GI's Pick: Kelowna by 40

Seaquam @ Cedar Park Washington: Kudos to coach Pechet for scheduling this game.  Seaquam will get better for playing it and gain a measure of toughness as well. Cedar park is not overly big in terms of catchment so this will be a very winnable game for the Seahawks.

GI's Pick: Seaquam by 6

Mark Isfeld (Tier 2)@ Howe Sound (Tier 2): Gotta give this one to the up and coming Sounders.  Isfeld has a long travel day and will be matched athlete for athlete come gameday.  In Isfeld's favor is the fact that they played a solid spring jamboree and will have the benefit of that experience headed into the contest.  This is Howe Sounds first action for 2010.

GI's Pick: Howe Sound by a shakey 6

G.P. Vanier (Tier 2) @ Frank Hurt (Tier 2): The Towhees of Vanier have an overwhelmingly athletic and monster sized roster.  If they stick to hardcore power ball, this contest will be lopsided right out of the gates.  Frank Hurt will throw a lot, some big plays are in the offing if Vanier gets caught out-formationed.

GI's Pick: Vanier by 24