Sunday, October 28, 2012

Week Nine


AA Varsity Week 9
Big Night In The Trenches At The 2012 Border Battle!
 
 
Week Eight In Review
 
The Border Battle between Barsby and Ballenas lived up to its moniker coming down to the last drive of the game before the outcome was determined.  Both squads will enter the playoffs playing some great ball.  Belmont had another statement game within their division vs Hugh Boyd and Mission set the stage for a game to determine first seed out of the East this coming weekend.  South Delta and Seaquam rolled over their respective oppontnets and Carson Graham cinched its playoff seed in dominant fashion.  Up north, Nechako Valley proved again that it is the team to beat while College Heights upset Kelley Road in a tough contest. 

South Kamloops 49 Mt. Baker 6
Seaquam 49 Eric Hamber 0
South Delta 45 Holy Cross 0
Mission 41 Rick Hansen 19
John Barsby 22 Ballenas 14
Valleyview 49 Westsyde 6
Handsworth 20 Nanaimo District 12
Belmont 34 Hugh Boyd 20
Robert Bateman 41 Langley 0
Carson Graham 32 Argyle 8
Nechako Valley 38 Duchess Park 8
College Heights 15 Kelly Road

GI’s Top 5

1. Mission Roadrunners
2. South Delta Sundevils
3. John Barsby Bulldogs
4. Ballenas Whalers
5. Robert Batemen Timberwolves

Gridiron’s Picks

 

Friday, 2 November


Argyle @ John Barsby:  Argyle travels to Nanaimo to finish their season.  A foundation is being laid by this group for years to come.  Finishing the seasonon can't help but be a positive.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 35

Westsyde @ Mt. Baker:  These two teams wrap-up their year in what is probably the most evenly matched game of their respective seasons.  GI's Pick: Westsyde by 12

Ballenas @ Nanaimo District: The Whalers are coming off of an electric game vs Barsby and the Islanders off of a hard fought 1 TD loss to Handsworth.  Ballenas will win this one, but Nanaimo will fight hard to the end.  GI's Pick: Whalers by 24

Windsor @ Handsworth:  This is a pride game for both teams.  Windsor is the class of the North Shore in 2012 and is rounding into serious playoff form.  I think the Dukes are faster and tougher than their foes.  GI's Pick: Dukes by 16

Rick Hansen @ Abbottsford Collegiate: Hansen is fighting hard for the third place seed in their division.  Abbey is looking to find a positive after a tough season.  I think the cupboards are better stocked at Hansen and the athleticism and speed will be too much for the Panthers.  GI's Pick: Hansen by 14

South Delta @ Eric Hamber: Hamber is facing an almost identical situation to that of Argyle this week.  There is pride in making it through a tough season fellas.  You are paving the way for those to follow.  GI's Pick: South Delta by 40 plus.

South Kamloops @ Valleyview: This really amounts to an early playoff game for these two teams.  I think Valleyview has established a more thorough body of work this season and they come into this game more complete offensively than their foes.  GI's Pick: Valleyview by 8

Langley @ Pitt Meadows: Langley is in a bit of a free fall and Pitt is the rise.  I think the Pitt passing game and size will be the difference makers come Friday.  GI's Pick: Marauders by 17

 
Saturday, 3 November

 
Robert Bateman @ Mission:  The two best games in week 9 are being played on Saturday.  This is likely the best of the two. Speed..goes to Mission..Size..draw...numbers and depth...Bateman...defense...draw.  How will this game play out?  Well, I don't think Weins is going to be stopped and there are enough weapons in the Mission offensive arsenal to make sure that spending too much time on him is going to be an expensive proposition.  Bateman can score lots of points too and they have a bit more depth up front than Mission does offensively and defensively.  This game could turn into a scoring fest that results in one team wearing down before the other.  Particularly so if it becomes a physical power running affair. The kicking game will be a difference maker!  GI's Pick: Mission by 17

Belmont @ Seaquam:  Belmont and Seaquam playing for second place in the South.  Eight weeks ago, who would have visualized this?  Belmont is running some decent power football and will score at least three times.  Seaquam is one of the teams who can match-up in terms of size with the visitors.  Then there is the Lego factor.  The Seaquam back will have a big day on Sat.  If Belmont's defense can prevent this from happening, then it is going to be close.  If Lego can get into the end-zone four times, Seaquam wins. Kicking and special teams play will be decisive. GI's Pick: Seahawks by 11
 
AA Junior Varsity
 
Big wins by GW Graham and Nanaimo District HS shook up the top five and have tightened up the playoff picture headed into week 9 play.
 
Gridiron's AA Junior Varsity Top Five
 
1. Robert Bateman Timberwolves
2. Mission Roadrunners
3. Carson Graham Eagles
4. Hugh Boyd Trojans
5. John Barsby Bulldogs
 
Honorable Mention: Nanaimo District Islanders, GW Graham Grizzlies, Abbottsford Collegiate Panthers, South Kamloops Titans
 
 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Week 8


AA Varsity Week 8


Week Seven In Review
 
Sundevils pitchfork Barsby at home in a gridiron brawl, Hurricanes sputter into a tropical depression, Whalers harpoon the Royals en route to posting another big W , Timberwolves tree the Panthers, Dukes reign supreme on North Shore, Marauders get er done, Lakers awash in victory, Kelley Road runs to victory, Eagles claw past Islanders, Vikings raid Clansmen, Roadrunners run wild, Seahawks pounce on Crusaders and so it went this past weekend. 

The top 5 is certainly shaken-up and the playoff picture only got more interesting as a result.

Week 7 Scores

Seaquam 35 Holy Cross 17
Mission 49 Langley 7
Kelly Road 16 Duchess Park 0
South Delta 16 John Barsby 6
Pitt Meadows 21 Rick Hansen 8
Ballenas 33 Handsworth 14
Windsor 49 Argyle 0
Hugh Boyd 29 Eric Hamber 0
Robert Bateman 42 Abbotsford 14
Carson Graham 15 Nanaimo District 8
Kalamalka 33 Westsyde 0
Nechako Valley 66 Correlieu 7 


GI’s Top Five

1. Mission Roadrunners
2. South Delta Sundevils
3. John Barsby Bulldogs
4. Ballenas Whalers
5. Robert Bateman Timberwolves

 

Gridiron’s Week 8 Picks

Friday, 26 October

Handsworth @ Nanaimo: Handsworth played a surprisingly good first half vs Ballenas.  Now the Royals make the trip to Nanaimo to play a scrappy NDSS squad.  There ought to be some great banging going on this Friday in this close match-up.  The passing edge goes to Handsworth.  If the Islander crew gets healthy, they will give their full measure.  GI's Pick: Royals by 6

Robert Bateman @ Langley: This will be a physical game for awhile and then Bateman will pull away on the strength of their ground game and team speed.  GI's Pick: Bateman by 21

Frank Hurt @ Windsor:  Windsor is better in every aspect of the game.  GI's Pick: Dukes by 30

Argyle @ Carson Graham: The Eagles will win this game handily as they outmatch their opponents in terms of athletes and football moxy.  GI's Pick: Eagles by 28

Belmont @ Hugh Boyd: Belmont is ascendant, Boyd is as well, but not as dramatically.  I think Belmont matches up well across the board with the Trojans and all things even, probably are playing a bit more consistently of late.  GI's Pick: Belmont by 4

Barsby @ Ballenas: Number one in the West comes down to the 2012 Border Battle Game to be played at Merle Logan Field in Nanaimo.  The Whalers are red hot and undefeated in AA competition this year.  Barsby is one nasty hornet's nest headed into this game.  In a word, it is going to be epic.  The Whalers can do it all on offense and have a very physical defense.  Barsby is playing tough defense and offensively, well they have to look in the mirror and get better than they were last weekend. Special teams are going to be huge! Practices at both fields ought to be dialed in.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 7 

Abbottsford Collegiate @ Pitt Meadows: My, my a difference a year makes.  Pitt has really come on strong in 2012 and the program must be vibrating after this past week's big upset win over Hansen.  Too much size and speed for the Panthers to handle, not to mention momentum.  GI's Pick: Pitt by 14

Saturday, 27 October

South Kamloops @ Mt. Baker:  The Wild are in over their heads in this one.  A timely snow storm might slow things down a bit for SKS, but this should be a big win for the Titans.  GI's Pick: Titans by 28

Seaquam @ Eric Hamber: Two more weeks left Hamber, some good post-season JV Ball
and then 2012 is a wrap.  Find your positives and congrats on making it the distance!  Next year will be better because of the foundation laid by this year's squad.  Seaquam will load up Lego's stats in this one.  GI's Pick: Seaquam by 45
 
Mission @ Rick Hansen: Some lustre has been taken off of this game based on Hansen's recent defeat at the hands of the Marauders.  Still, this could be a big rebound game for the Hurricanes.  However the blue and gold do bounce, it won't be high enough in the face of the lazer speed and precision that the Roadrunners are going to bring to the table.  Weins, Horton and co. are going to be too much.  GI's Pick: Roadrunners by 23

Holy Cross @ South Delta: The Sundevils are coming off of a milestone game vs Barsby and are rolling on all cylinders.  This team is complete and hitting their stride at exactly the right time in the season.  Cross is outmatched at every position on the field athletically.  GI's Pick: South Delta by 28 plus.


AA Junior Varsity Week 8

Week In Review

The cream has really begun to rise in the JV ranks this past week.  The hottest team out there may be the number 3 ranked Mission Roadrunners.  The table is set for some decisive week 8 games. 

GI's Top 5

1. Abbottsford Collegiate Panthers
2. Robert Bateman Timberwolves
3. Mission Roadrunners
4. Carson Graham Eagles
5. Belmont Bulldogs

Honourable Mention: SKS Titans, PGSS Polars, NDSS Islanders, Hugh Boyd Trojans, John Barsby Bulldogs

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Week 7


AA Varsity Week 7


Belmont Busts Loose! These guys are officialy for real!  Crowe was dined upon in Nanaimo very recently.

 

Week Six In Review

Mission is looking freakishly fearsome again and the Killer B's (Barsby/Ballenas) are playing some amped-up football.  Belmont just had a milestone game and Kalmalka is top rail coming out of the Interior.  All love to the Pipers on their W!  More to come fellas!! The Eastern conference is looking hyper competitive and it is my sincere belief that many future championships will hail from that region if the rest of the province doesn't get it's collective act together.  The table is set for the final third of the season!

 

GI’s Top Five

1. Mission Roadrunners
2. John Barsby Bulldogs
3. South Delta Sundevils
4. Ballenas Whalers
5. Rick Hansen Hurricanes

 

Gridiron’s Picks

 
Wednesday, 17 October

Kelley Road @ Dutchess Park:  Roadrunners are playing some good football.  GI's Pick: I see em winning by 6. 

Friday, 19 October

Ballenas @ Handsworth:  Handsworth had a tough go against Barsby last week and now they get Ballenas.    Walking the Green Mile is an apt visual for this one.  This will be the longest week of practice in the Royal's 2012 season.   GI's Pick: Ballenas by 38

Hugh Boyd @ Eric Hamber: There will be some Trojan chest thumping early and often.  GI's Pick: Boyd by 40

Argyle @ Windsor: Well done Pipers and a hearty congrats on last week's victory.  Now you play the real deal in the Dukes.  This is a mismatch that both teams have to mine for intrinsic value.  GI's Pick: Windsor by 40 plus

Carson Graham @ Nanaimo District:  Decent match-up here.  Two chewed up teams grapple on a Friday afternoon.  We may be looking at the first annual Ibuprophin Bowl.  Carson has the edge in team speed.  GI's Pick: Eagles by 11

Abbottsford Collegiate @ Robert Bateman:  Bateman overcame adversity last week.  They will continue to grow and find a way.  GI's Pick: Bateman by 16

Nechako Valley @ Correlieu:  Like a Viking raid of years gone by, this crew will roll into town, take care of business and depart.  GI's Pick: The Hoof by 18

South Delta @ John Barsby:  Great match-up here.  Two red hot teams set to dance on Friday evening.  The past two years Barsby has won by a combined score of 64-0.  What has S. Delta done to close the gap? Well, they have had two weeks to prepare for this game.  GI's Pick: Barsby 

Rick Hansen @ Pitt Meadows: This will be a close game for three quarters.  Hansen is tougher and more balanced however.  GI's Pick: Hurricanes by 9

Saturday, 20 October

Valleyview @ Mt. Baker: Long road trip with a great payday and teamb uilding opportunities!  GI's Pick: Vikings by 30 in a route.
 
Seaquam @ Holy Cross:  The Crusaders are doing some soul searching this year.  This week is an opportunity or a curse depending on how practice goes at HC.  Seaquam's big back is going to be a challenge.  GI's Pick: HC by 2

Langley @ Mission: Seriously, how do you defend against an athlete, probably BC's best in 2012 who averages 25 yds. plus per-touch?  Team defense is a great answer.  Trouble is, when you are chasing him around, Hortan and company are cut from the same cloth.  Watching video, I walk a mile in the opposing DC's shoes.  This is the first year I threw-up for an entire mile!  GI's Pick: Mission by 38

 

 
AA Junior Varsity

Abbey is on a tear! Carson stepped-up and Barsby tumbled out of the rankings based on a poor performance last Wednesday.   The playoffs could very well be an eastern affair in 2012!

 
GI’s  Top 5

1. Abbottsford Collegiate Panthers
2. Robert Bateman Timberwolves
3. Mission Roadrunners
4. Carson Graham Eagles
5. Belmont Bulldogs

 
Honorable Mention:

John Barsby Bulldogs, Argyle Pipers, Hugh Boyd Trojans

Sunday, October 7, 2012

AA Varsity Week Six


AA Varsity Week 6

Neighborhood Rivalry Game On Island!
 

Week Five In Review
 
Storm warning in the East!  The Rick Hansen Hurricanes proved to be too much for the Robert Bateman Timberwolves in as they tenderized their canine foes with a convincing 27-16 performance.  This sets the stage for a 27 October tilt vs the #1 ranked Mission Roadrunners that will likely determine who is the #1 seed coming out of the Eastern Division.   The Windsor Dukes found their winning stride on Friday vs the Carson Graham Eagles Friday afternoon and now hold the inside track for a third place seed divisionally out West.  Langley defeated Abbey in a bit of an upset signaling much parity in their division.  Holy Cross continued to build on their winning streak defeating the Hugh Boyd Trojans in a close one while a couple of cross-divisional exhibitions saw Ballenas and Valleyview post impressive wins against Belmont and Eric Hamber respectively.  Up North, College Heights edged out Dutchess Park in an upset that was one of the Cougar's biggest W's in recent memory. Rounding off the scores were Western, Eastern and Southern leaders Barsby, Mission and South Delta opening up October play winning by big scores.

Week 5 Scores
 
John Barsby 43 Nanaimo District 0
Windsor 19 Carson Graham 7
Rick Hansen27 Robert Bateman 16
Langley 20 Abbotsford 18
Holy Cross 21 Hugh Boyd 20
Valleyview 48 Eric Hamber 6
Ballenas 42 Belmont 12
Mission 47 Pitt Meadows 14
South Delta 40 Seaquam 22


Gridiron’s AA VarsityTop Five

1.  Mission Roadrunners
2.  John Barsby Bulldogs
3.  South Delta Sundevils
4.  Rick Hansen Hurricanes
5.  Ballenas Whalers

 
Gridiron’s Picks

 
Thursday, 11 October

College Heights @ Correlieu: The Cougars are headed into week six all fired-up over their victory over Northern powerhouse Dutchess Park.  Thursday's road game vs the sons of Quesnel ought to add to the winning streak in fine fashion in what promises to be a display of ground and pound and tough defense.  GI's Pick: College Heights by 11

Friday, 12 October

Handsworth @ John Barsby: The Royals hit the new Nanaimo field turf with some swagger coming off of a blow-out victory Friday vs Argyle.  This Royal team also dominated host Carson Graham early on the week before prior to a second half implosion that saw the game slip from their hands.  One thing about Prepchuk coached teams is that they always get better as opposed to worse and this group is licking its lips for a crack at Barsby.  Look for tough defense and patient, highly targeted offense from the gold and blue come Friday afternoon.  Barsby plays tough at home and has a plethora of backs posting good numbers on the ground and a highly efficient passing game.  Defensively, since the barn-burner vs AAA #1 Mt. Douglas,  the Dawgs have been keeping the scores down and playing physical all season long.  The special teams battle on Friday will have a big impact on the score. GI's Pick: Barsby by 16

Nanaimo District @ Windsor: The Islanders travel to play a surging Windsor football team on Friday.  After a long weekend of wound licking I think gan green will play a lot tougher than many expect.  On the other hand, expect Windsor to get the ball in the endzone a lot via the air and an option game that is growing daily in effectiveness.  Keys in this game, NDSS ball control and pass defense.  Windsor defense.  GI's Pick: Dukes by 16

Eric Hamber @ Argyle: Big game on the calendar for both of these teams.  Irregardless of score, both will leave with some mid-season positives to build upon.  I like the Pipers in this one as they are coming off of a tougher schedule to date and will be able to play a better power game than the visiting squad.  GI's Pick: Pipers by 12

Rick Hansen @ Langley: The Hurricanes are strengthening week by week and will travel to play a decent Langley crew on the grass turf.  I think the game will be physical up front, but Hansen just has too much balance and too man weapons to go to for the Saints to handle.  GI's Pick: Hansen by 21

Mission @ Abbottsford Collegiate: Mission has by and large recovered from a string of early season injuries and along with the improvement in health, they have recovered their swagger.  There is also the poise and confidence that comes with a seasoned group of #2's that successfully stepped-up during the worst of times.  Abbey just does not match-up well in terms of team speed and this will be evident when the big plays start exploding all over the place with the ball in Mission hands.  GI's Pick: Mission by 36

Pitt Meadows @ Robert Bateman: If ever there were a time for the Marauders to post a W in this affair, Friday is it.  Pitt is playing some good ball and Batemen is as black and blue as they were last season when things imploded for them.  This game will hinge on defense and whether or not Bateman can run the football.  If the Timberwolves sputter on the ground it is a toss-up.  GI's Pick: Bateman by 7

Mt. Baker @ Okanagen Mission: The Wild have certainly improved over last year's edition.  Long road trips are always tough, but these guys have known nothing but tough road trips since their inception.  OKM ought to take this one, but it won't be a cakewalk.  GI's Pick: OKM by 11

Kalmalka @ Valleyview: Huge game in the Interior.  Two red hot squads tangling for first place.  You have to go with the Kalmalka running game in this one.  The Lakers have not stalled yet when they pound the rock.  GI's Pick: Kal by 6

South Kamloops @ Westsyde: Big vs small, faster vs slower and then there is the momentum of the history between these programs.  GI's Pick: SKS by 21

Dutchess Park @ Nechako Valley: The Condors may have gotten caught looking ahead this past week to the big game they have to play in Vanderhoof.  This week's game has now become an even more desparate affair for the gold and black as playoff seading is absolutely on the line.  The Vikings have been perhaps the most consistent team up North the past three years and this is a good indication that they take care of fundamental aspects of the game all the time.  Hard earned is hard to beat and Dutchess is going to find this out first hand.  GI's Pick: Vikings by 11

Saturday, 13 October

Hugh Boyd @ Seaquam: Number 3 and 4 coming out of the South could be decided Saturday.  Hugh Boyd took a big step forward in last weekend's loss and Seaquam got a dose of humility from South Delta.  On balance however, the Hawks have been playing better football and were able to get points on the board vs their divisional powerhouse.  Running the ball will be big and Seaquam has a bigger horse in the stable.  GI's Pick: Seaquam by 12

Ballenas @ Carson Graham: Carson's AA woes will continue on Saturday when the Whalers come calling.  The Eagles are chewed-up and don't come out on top of the size and speed match-ups.  A positive for them is that their secondary and linebacking corps are largely intact and these are going to be crucial vs the Whaler air assault which is now rounding into form.  Up front, the Whalers ought to be able to gash the hosts enough to control posession and set-themselves up for big plays off of play action.  GI's Pick: Whalers by 22

Holy Cross @ Belmont:  This is my darkhorse upset pick of the week.  HC is travelling and Belmont plays tough at home.  There is a bit of a swagger developing on Victoria's West Shore and if Belmont can find a way to bludgeon the Crusader power running game, things could get interesting.  I still think they are too soft to do it.  GI's Pick: HC by 6
 
AA Junior Varsity Week 6
 
Huge game in the Valley between Abbey Collegiate and Robert Bateman. This one is a complete toss-up!  Another big game sees the Arglyle Pipers tangle with the Carson Graham Eagles.  The winner of each game will have the inside track to a number 1 playoff seed in November.  Stay posted!!  On the Island, rivals Ballenas and Barsby engage in the JV version of "The Border Battle".
 
Gridiron's AA JV Top Five
 
1. Abbottsford Collegiate Panthers
2. Robert Bateman Timberwolves
3. Mission Roadrunners
4. John Barsby Bulldogs
5. Hugh Boyd Trojans

Honorable Mention: Argyle Pipers. Carson Graham Eagles, Nanaimo District Islanders, South Kamloops Titans and GW Graham Grizzlies