AA Varsity Week 2

AA Varsity Week Two

Week One Wrap


Looking at the scores and some video, there were several statement games made in the opening week of play.  Vernon, despite multiple turnovers, served notice that it intends to return to the big game in December!  Even with week 1 sloppiness, these guys were a league apart from Bateman.  Size, speed, experience and offensive balance abound with the Panther Program.  Prince George is going to be a wrecking ball up north as Valleyview found out the hard way.  In a loss that was closer than the score, Argyle played very well against AAA powerhouse Mt. Douglas.  I think the Pipers are a darkhorse to watch as the season unfolds.  Over in the Valley is was tough sledding for Abbey vs 2017 AAA finalist Notre Dame.  The Panther program will get better week to week however.  GW Graham outlasted Ballenas in a tight contest on Friday.  Both of these squads will likely challenge for divisional supremacy this year.  

Scores

Pitt Meadows 14 Spectrum 12
Prince George 42 Valleyview 0
SRT 30 Frank Hurt 14
College Heights 21 Nechako Valley 16
Mt. Douglas 27 Argyle 6
Notre Dame 34 Abbottsford 7
John Barsby 35 Nanaimo District 14
Handsworth 16 Hugh Boyd 13
Westsyde 29 Kelly Road 8
Vernon 42 Robert Bateman 7
G.W. Graham 25 Ballenas 20
Mt. Baker WA 56 Clarence Fulton 14
St. Thomas Moore 34 Holy Cross 0

Gridiron's Top 5

1. Windsor Dukes
2. Vernon Panthers
3. Abbottsford Panthers
4. Prince Georges Polars
5. Hugh Boyd Trojans

GI's Picks

Thursday 14th

Cochrane AB @ Vernon: Cochrane is a famed and storied program in the Province of Alberta. Vernon is reaching similar status in BC.  All this aside, I believe this could be game of the week material on Thursday!  Vernon's biggest opponent it would seem thus far is themselves.  Once they clean up their turnovers, look out!  The Panthers will be ready come Thursday Night.  GI's Pick: Vernon by 8

Friday 15th

Hugh Boyd @ Robert Bateman: The Rosters on these teams seem very evenly matched.  The game itself is going to come down to who can run/stop the run game.  I have to give the edge to Hugh Boyd in this capacity.  GI's Pick: Trojans by 7

SRT @ John Barsby: This will be a solid match-up for both squads.  SRT has great edge speed and a veteran QB and his backfield/receivers returning from JV semi-finals last season. The Barsby linebackers and defensive backs will have their hands full come Friday!  Barsby is big up front so this could turn in to a real contest on the edge.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 8

Nechako Valley @ South Kamloops: The Titans are playing at home and they have a bigger, deeper roster than the visitors.  The visitors however, have a game under their belt and that really helps as the jump from week 1 to week 2 is usually pretty big in terms of working out all the kinks.  SKS will run the ball effectively on Friday.  GI's Pick: Titans by 11

G.W. Graham @ Argyle: Intriguing game, really intriguing.  G.W. Grahams power running game versus the Argyle passing game.  Defensively both teams play tough.  Argyle is coming off of a big game vs Mt. Douglas so I don't think they are the least bit intimidated by the Grizzlies.  Turnovers loom large in this affair.  GI's Pick: Argyle by 2

Fank Hurt @ Langley: This game shouldn't separate on the scoreboard til mid 3'rd quarter. Langley will need to limit turnovers and get on top of their run game to win.  I think they are up to the task. GI's Pick: Saints by 10

St. Thomas Moore (AAA) @ Abbottsford: Another tough game for Abbey this week.  Another opportunity to find their better football angels.  STM is a very good football team and will be pouring it on vs their AA opponent.  I think that Abbey cleans up its offense and the defense matches up better than week 1.  Still not enough. GI's Pick: STM by 16

Carence Fulton @ Omak WA: Round two of Clarence Fulton vs the state of Washington.  This game between Omak and Fulton has been played for over a decade.  The score is usually a 40 point margin for the hosts.  This said, Coach Scheller is one of the good ones and he knows that his team harvests a lot of intangibles from the game.  GI's Pick: Omak by 40

Holy Cross @ Notre Dame (AAA): The Crusaders are on leg two of their gridiron tour against the rest of "the flock" this weekend.  "Iron sharpens Iron" and STM and Notre Dame are great opponents to hone an edge against.  Notre Dame is deeper on the bench and has too many offensive weapons at its disposal for H.C. to handle.  The defensive speed of the Jugglers is also impressive.  GI's Pick: Jugglers by 22

Westsyde @ Salmon Arm: Westsyde had a pretty comprehensive victory this past weekend.  Having a game under their belt will be a big help as Salmon Arm is a very large AA school with some impressive athletes on the roster.  This one will be pretty close.  GI's Pick: Golds by 7

Valleyview @ South Widbey (WA): Good on Valleyview for playing this game.  This will be a great experience for the players and another step in their evolution on the football field.  GI's Pick: Widbey by 20

Belmont (AAA) @ Ballenas: This game has become quite the Island rivalry in recent years as both programs seem fairly aligned philosophically and in style of play.  They coincidentally sport very similar uniforms and offensive schemes as well!  There will be a JV game between the two programs preceding this contest so the varsity tilt will be Sr. heavy with very little help from the JV roster for both teams.  Ballenas lost a heart breaker to G.W. Graham on Friday and is now spoiling for a chance at redemption.  Belmont had a bye.  The Whalers will have worked out some kinks entering week 2. The past couple years, Belmont has won the physical contest vs Ballenas.  This year the up Island crew is going to have to raise their game in that area.  Perimeter play will be big for both teams.  I think Belmont wins a few athletic match-ups vs the Whaler secondary.  GI's Pick: Belmont by 12

Windsor @ Pitt Meadows: The Dukes are traditionally very slow starters.  This year however, they are so veteran in the scheme and so good athletically that they will defy "tradition" and score a bushel of points in this contest.  Look for a big day from the Duke quarterback running and throwing the football.  GI's Pick: Dukes by 22

Sunday 17th

Prince George @ Kelly Road: If the Polars were somehow named the PGSS WileE Coyoteees they would find a way to outsmart themselves and lose this game vs the Road Runners. That ain't the case however and the Polars are gonna flatten some birds with their steam roller of a team come Sunday. If there is not 250 plus yards of PGSS rushing, I will dine on my hat Sunday night.  Keep an eye on these guys folks.  GI's Pick: Polars by 28
  College Heights @ Duchess Park:  The Condors had a very good JV squad last year with a lot of talent moving up.  College Heights got a good win under their belt last week and has some momentum on their side.  GI's Pick: Condors by 7

Gridiron's AA Junior Varsity Top 5

1.  Vernon Panthers
2.  Ballenas Whalers
3.  Abbottsford Panthers
4.  Robert Bateman
5.  Pitt Meadows