Monday, October 31, 2011

GI's Picks Week Nine

Week 9 2011

Well, here we are folks at the end of the regular season of play.  Sure did go by quick!  This weekend sees multiple games that will determine first and second place seeding into the playoff tourney.  For some seniors, this will be the last game of HS football.  Make it your best fellas!

GI's Week Nine AA Varsity Top Five

1. Mission
2. John Barsby
3. Ballenas
4. Abbottsford Collegiate
5. Holy Cross

GI's Week 9 Tier 2 Varsity Top Five

1.  Nanaimo District
2.  Howe Sound
3.  Belmont
4.  G.P. Vanier
5.  Edward Milne

Gridiron's Picks

Thursday, 3 November

Hugh Boyd @ Handsworth:  Hugh Boyd and Handsworth are playing their best football of the year right now.  Both Squads are coming off of big, emotional wins and though this game is exhibition, it will speak a lot to momentum headed into the post-season.  Handsworth wins this match-up in the passing game, Boyd on the ground.  The weather man may be a prominent figure headed into Thursday.    Defensively, this is a toss-up.  Special teams are going to have a big say overall.

GI's Pick: Handsworth by 2

Friday, 4 November, 2011

Abbottsford Collegiate @ Mission: Divisional title on the line.  In a short period of time, Abbey has come to rule the local roost in their town and now they are travelling to play The King of the Fraser Valley in the Mission Roadrunners.  Abbey is very hard hitting and they have been improving week-to-week all year long.  Mission has not broken a sweat against any AA competition this year.  Abbey may make em sweat a bit, but not for long.  Mission has too many offensive weapons and will clearly and effectively dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. 

GI's Pick: Mission by 36

Ballenas @ Windsor:  The Whalers are rolling into North Vancouver coming off of a bye and in playoff form.  Windsor is going to play tough for awhile, but cannot run with the Whaler receiving corps.  This one does not come down to coaching as both squads are very well tutored, but rather it comes down to roster maturity and the Whalers hold a decisive edge in that category.

GI's Pick: Whalers by 16

Rick Hansen @ Robert Bateman: A few weeks back I'd say Bateman in a landslide.  Consecutive physical maulings of the Wolves by Abbottsford and Mission have brought the once surging Bateman squad crashing back to earth.  Rick Hansen has a real shot to take this one as the Bateman offense is basically starting from scratch with injuries and illness having taken a toll.  Rick Hansen will execute better on offense as a result and a sound defensive effort may give em the margin to steal this one/

GI's Pick: Hansen by 2

Nanaimo District (Tier 2) @ Frank Hurt (Tier 2):  Frank Hurt has put up some sereious points in a few of their games this year.  Nanaimo District up until last weekend has been flat-out dominant.  These two squads played a close game in Nanaimo last September with the Hornets eventually emerging triumphant; now the Islanders are on the road with some payback on their minds.  I think the Islanders have demonstrated themselves to be better in all three phases of the game this year.  I also think they play a way more physical brand of ball. 

GI's Pick: Islanders by 31

Eric Hamber (Tier 2) @ Moscrop (Tier 2): Moscrop, when its players and coaches feel confident about their opponent, can really score points in a hurry.  They are entering this game feeling brash and good about who they will be matching up against.  Hamber is still on a big learning curve.

GI's Pick: Panthers by ground and air win by 30

Belmont (Tier 2) @ Mark Isfeld (Tier 2): If Isfeld can get the bodies to play this weekend, they will have a tough game ahead of them.  Belmont is on a win streak and getting healthier with each passing day.

GI's Pick: Belmont by 30 plus.

Saturday, 5 November

Clarence Fulton @ Kalmalka:  Game for divisional title.  Fulton has been on a tear late in the season.  A young but fast Kalmalka found a way to win last weekend.  I think Fulton is more complete on both sides of the ball.

GI's Pick: Fulton by 8

Norkam @ Mt. Baker:  This is a good way for Norkam to wrap-up its season.  Mt. Baker gets to finish at home which is also good for them.  Norkam is quite simply, further along as a program and group of athletes.

GI's Pick: Norkam by 27

Langley @ Seaquam:  Seaquam has clearly been the better team this year if one looks at wins and losses vs common opponents.  In a smallish division, this counts for very little as a Langley victory would tip the whole division on its ear.  If Langley can get all over Seaquam's running game and put a couple scores on the board, they may have a shot this Saturday.  High school athletes are full of surprises and there is a reason we play these games.

GI's Pick: Seaquam by 22

John Barsby @ South Delta: Both teams have a stake in a positive outcome in this game for entirely different reasons.  A South Delta win would bring a tie breaking pts. for and against formula to the Western 3 and 4 playoff berth.  Interesting indeed.  Barsby, well, they want to play this one as hard as any this season.  It ought to be a good game to watch.  South Delta has been very balanced offensivley this year and they are trick play masters.  Barsby likewise, has had a balanced attack from a different offensive set entirely.  Defensively, both squads have superb run pursuit and I really like the SD cover schemes.   The Sundevils are tough at home and would love to add this big notch to their belts.

GI's Pick: Barsby by a close 10

Okanagen Mission @ Vernon:  Huge game for Vernon with a 1st place seed on the line.  Likewise for OKM, an upset would propel them to a 4th place finish divisionally and the satisfaction that they derailed a divisional heavyweight.  I don't think the Panthers are going to let it happen though.  Too big, too fast, too many players for their opponents.

GI's Pick: Vernon by 16

Valleyview @ South Kamloops:  Perhaps the hottest team in the Interior, SKS can only wonder what may have been this year if they had been able to roll in September.  The Titans will finish strong in this local rivalry game and will hang-up their hats with another W under their belts.

GI's Pick: Titans by 16

Gulf Islands @ G.P. Vanier:  The Saltspring scrappers are travelling North to tangle with a goliath school in Vanier.  They all oughta get medals of valor for making the trip.  We need B-8 or 9 in this province.  I volunteer to help set it up.

GI's Pick: Vanier by double digits

Timberline @ Edward Milne:  This could go either way, especially if Timberline trys to get "style points" on offense.  Ugly touchdowns are worth just as much as pretty ones guys.  This game has become a bit of a rivalry and I believe the 2011 edition will be no exception.  Timberline rolls in with a deeper bench and a size advantage.  Milne is at home and will be giving no quarter themselves.  I think if the Wolverines are patient offensively and get some big heat on the Timberline QB they are in this one.  Conversely, if the Timberline bench doesn't roll in more jacked than their players, they will do just fine.  Kinda wish I could watch this one. 

GI's Pick:  Timberline by 8

Howe Sound @ Argyle:  Kudos to Howe Sound last weekend rolling into Nanaimo and giving the Islanders all that they could handle.  Shorter trip this time and the opponent did not fare so well last time they stood in front of a Double-Wing.

GI's Pick: Sounders by 38

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