AA Varsity Week 8

AA Varsity Week Eight

Week Seven Round-Up

Abbey comes up with a statement game, Holy Cross surges and Barsby claims top seed for the West. Up North, Prince George put together a solid divisional playoff performance and South Kamloops won big to bring momentum in to their showdown with the Vernon Panthers this coming week.

Scores

John Barsby 34 Carson Graham 7
Abbottsford 41 Robert Bateman 14
Windsor 16 Nanaimo District 0
Moscrop 18 Frank Hurt 7
South Kamloops 41 Valleyview 6
G.W. Graham 40 Pitt Meadows 7
Prince George 39 Nechako Valley 0
Westsyde 30 Clarence Fulton 14
Holy Cross 51 Hugh Boyd 19
Mission 58-Rick Hansen 0

Gridiron's AA Top Five

1. G.W. Graham Grizzlies
2. Abbottsford Panthers
3. Langley Saints
4. John Barsby Bulldogs
5. Vernon Panthers

Honorable Mention

Holy Cross Crusaders, Mission Roadrunners, Hugh Boyd Trojans, Carson Graham Eagles , Windsor Dukes, Prince George Polars, South Kamloops Titans,  Duchess Park Condors

The Conferences

AA East: Things get really interesting this coming weekend as the Grizzlies pay a visit to their nemesis the Abbottsford Panthers.  If Abbey wins, they will be the outright divisional champs.  If they lose, Graham can clinch with a solid win over the surging Mission Roadrunners.

AA West: Barsby has clinched the divisional number one seed oughtright with their victory over Carson Graham this past weekend.  An Eagle win over the Windsor Dukes gives them a likely number two seed into the post-season.  A Duke win and they are the #2 seed.  The Ballenas-Nanaimo District tilt is for all purposes an early playoff game for these two squads with the winner likely clinching the 4 seed.

AA South: This is Langley's division to win.  They just need to run the table the next two weeks which is a very possible thing to do.  Holy Cross is in the driver's seat for the number two seed followed by Boyd for number three and Moscrop for number four.

AA Interior: The first and second seed divisionally will be settled on the field this weekend between Vernon and South Kamloops.  These guys will then cross over with the top seeds from the North.

AA North: PG or Duchess for top rail and then time to cross-over with the Interior.

GI's Picks

Friday, 30 October

John Barsby @ Holy Cross: Two teams playing some of their better football this season square off on HC's home turf this Friday for a late season exhibition tilt.  In many ways the rosters appear to be mirror images of one another and both play a physical style of ball.  This game will come down to turnovers and the play up front.  HC is very balanced offensively and Barsby's defense will have its work cut-out for it.  The Crusaders defeated Abbottsford earlier this year which is quite an accomplishment. They know how to play the big games. Turnovers and time of posession will be big.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 3

Rick Hansen @ Robert Bateman:  The Timberwolves have been playing the best AA has to offer the past several weeks.  The Hurricanes are trying to navigate through a tough season.  Bateman has too many athletes at too many positions for Hansen to handle. GI's Pick: Bateman by 24

Carson Graham @ Windsor: This will be a very close contest from the opening kick-off to the final whistle.  Carson wins the size and depth contest, but other than that, these teams are very evenly matched.   Windsor has more discipline and  is playing a good brand of ball at present.  If this game stays close into the late 4th quarter look for a minor upset in favor of the Dukes.  GI's Pick: Windsor by 1

Valleyview @ Clarence Fulton: Another close game for week eight.  These teams are evenly matched and Fulton is at home.  This said, I like the Valleyview run game in this one as a difference maker.  GI's Pick: Vikings by 8

Moscrop @ Hugh Boyd: Moscrop is not going to find a whole lot of love when they come knocking on the Trojan's door this Friday.  Boyd is playing very good football and their run game is impressive to say the least.  Moscrop simply cannot hang with the level of physicality and execution they are going to encounter. GI's Pick:  Trojans by 22

G.W. Graham @ Abbottsford: Game of the week by a wide, wide margin.  These two rosters have been rivals since the eighth grade and the coaching staffs are very, very familiar with one another.  The Grizzlies are going to have to own the clock to win this one.  If the game is left to a wide-open shoot out, Abbey has more tools in the kit.  I think Graham can push em around if they are patient. GI's Pick: Grizzlies by 4

Ballenas @ Nanaimo District: Both teams have had what can only be described as a train-wreck this year in terms of health.  They are however, on the mend and we can safely coing this game as the Lazarus Bowl.  The Whalers have a superior passing game and their offensive line is largely intact.  I think they will be able to put together the long drives necessary to come out of this one with a win. Nanaimo will play em tough however. GI's Pick: Whalers by 12

Mission @ Pitt Meadows: Mission is now playing playoff calibre football.  This makes them very dangerous as this program has had nothing but success the past eight years and they know how to get those W's in late October/November.  The Roadrunner ground game will be clicking on all cylinders and will flatten the Marauder defense start-to-finish. GI's Pick: Mission by 17

Prince George vs Duchess Park: (Northern Playoff Final)  This is the year of the Polar.  The two headed rushing attack and dominant offensive line play ought to carry the grey and green past the traditional top rail up North known as the Duchess Park Condors. GI's Pick: Polars by 11

Saturday, 31 October

South Kamloops @ Vernon: This is the battle for first place in the interior. It will be very close and hotly contested.  Size goes to the Titans and grit to the Panthers along with home turf. Both teams run the ball well.  Believe it or not, I think the team that shows up and throws the ball most effectively will have the winning edge.   GI's Pick: Vernon by 9

Langley @ Frank Hurt: Langley will suffocate the Hornet offense and shell their defense with the long pass over and over again.  The Saints are also bigger and far more physical. GI's Pick: Saints by 24