AA Varsity Week 7

AA Varsity Week Seven

Gridirons Top 5

1. Vernon Panthers
2. Ballenas Whalers
3. Windsor Dukes
4. Langley Saints
5. Holy Cross Crusaders

GI's Picks

Thursday, October 18th

Kelly Road Roadrunners @ Prince George Polars: The Polars are on a roll and are physically the most dominant varsity team the North has produced since 2014 (that team being the 2014 Polars).  Look for the Mean Green to establish the run early and pound away all day long.  GI's Pick: Polars by 30

Friday, October 19th

Frank Hurt Hornets @ Robert Bateman Timberwolves:  Bateman is hitting their stride at just the right time in the season.  Coming off a big, emotional win over G.W. Graham has them in a great mental place as a team and the balanced offence/speedy defense will be too overwhelming for the plucky Hornet squad to handle.  GI's Pick: Timberwolves by 30

Argyle Pipers @ John Barsby Bulldogs: Argyle is healthy and has had a bye week to prepare for Barsby.   The tilts between these two programs are usually pretty evenly contested if one looks at the historical context of the series.  The Piper's throw the ball very well and play very aggressive, opportunistic defense.  Barsby was a slow motion, passionless, poorly led, vomit inducing, inconsistent train-wreck vs Holy Cross this past Saturday.  GI's Pick: Pipers by 8

Valleyview Vikings @ Clarence Fulton Maroons: Fulton is coming off of a tough loss to Westsyde last weekend.  The game was close and I am sure the locker-room is looking to up it's game and get back on track.  Valleyview has struggled against the Marroons in past years and this will likely be the case again this year.  Fulton's offense is more balanced and as a team, they have been playing tougher competition all year.  GI's Pick: Maroons by 12

Westsyde Blue Wave @ Salmon Arm Golds:  A big win vs Fulton has Westsyde chomping at the bit for more headed into a road trip vs Salmon Arm.  The Blue Wave are on a bit of a mid-season high right now and finding all kinds of confidence in themselves with playoff seeding on the line. GI's Pick: Westsyde by 14

G.W. Graham Grizzlies @ Langley Saints: Kudos to GW Graham for their salty, tough performance on Friday vs a fine Robert Bateman squad.  That kind of grit and resilience will factor in heavily in this key divisional tilt vs the Eastern Steam Roller known as the Langley Saints.  Langley is rested coming off a bye week and will be well prepared by their coaches for all eventualities.  This game will be close for a quarter, but I think Langley has more in the tank and is better up front which will break the Grizzlies in the mid-to late rounds.  GI's Pick: Langley by 16

Vernon Panthers @ South Kamloops Titans: Vernon will do what Vernon does with its deep, fast and talented roster.  SKS just doesn't match-up well anywhere with the visitors.  Look for a big day in the air for Vernon and stifling defense that benefits from a great kicking game.  GI's Pick: Vernon by 35 plus


Saturday, October 20th

College Heights Cougars @ Nechako Valley Vikings: I like Nechako Valley in this one based on their offensive execution and esprit de corps as an overall squad.  GI's Pick: Vikings by 7

Windsor Dukes @ Ballenas Whalers: Game of the Week in AA Varsity ball here folks.  Wow is it going to be a good one!  Windsor is going to find out everything about itself when it takes on the Whaler Juggernaut on Whaler home turf.  Ballenas has had a bye week to prepare for this game and they will have needed it.  The line of scrimmage is going to be pivotal for both teams as this is where they are strongest offensively.  I think the Whalers have more depth up front, but Windsor executes better and comes off the ball harder.  If either team can get their backs into the second level, there are going to be some big rushing stats on game day.   Ballenas may need to load-up the box defensively and be creative with their pressures/alignments.  If they send heat, it will be feast or famine.  Windsor has to be aware of the Ballenas-Barsby game as the Whalers have proven they can throw the ball well to some very talented receives when required to do so.  Special teams....Ballenas can flip a game with their short kicking game alone.  Seen that many times.  Windsor will be aware of this and the chess game is on! Coaching: This is a Football Mensa club on both benches.  If you can get out to see this game, you won't be let down.  Gonna be a classic! GI's Pick: Ballenas by 7

Howe Sound Sounders @ Holy Cross Crusaders:  Howe Sound has been a pleasant surprise and welcome addition to AA Varsity football this year.  Holy Cross has something really special going on as it fields its best Varsity squad since 2015.  I was so very impressed with the Crusaders play this past Saturday vs Barsby.  That was one unified, prepared and disciplined football team that quickly responded to breakdowns and momentum changes throughout the game.  HC has a super offensive line and is executing offensively to the fullest.  They are very efficient with what they do with the players they have getting the ball in the right hands at the right time.  The Sounders will be in tough for this one.  They are very quick athletically and bring a lot of heat.  They will make a few big defensive plays in the HC backfield, but not enough to win.  GI's Pick: Crusaders by 24