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