AA Varsity Week 1

Gridiron's Week 1

Welcome back everyone!  Here's wishing everyone at every level and role in AA ball a hec of a season!  Stay safe and have a tonne of fun folks!

GI's Picks

Westsyde @ Kelly Road:  This is a great season opener for both programs.  Great to see the North and the Interior having regular cross-over games.  I like Westsyde in this game as they are deeper in terms of strength of schedule over the years.  The Blue Wave players will have an edge in this regard. GI's Pick: Westsyde by 10

Mt. Douglas(AAA) @ Argyle: Mt. Douglas is going to bring a load of very, very talented players to this game.  The Pipers are outmatched at every position and the game will get away from them early on.  This said, kudos for playing the game Argyle and you will surely emerge a whole lot tougher and game ready as a result.  Look for the Rams to air out the ball.  GI's Pick: Rams by 30

Notre Dame (AAA) @ Abbottsford: Notre Dame was in the big dance at AAA last year.  Abbey was not far off themselves.  I am going to call an upset alert here.  Home field will matter and the Panthers are not going to be out sized or out-run.  The Jugglers graduated some great talent and will have to find out who they are this year in terms of identity.  GI's Pick: Abbey by 6 

Vernon @ Robert Bateman:  These guys played a real competitive game last year in week 1.  I think however that Vernon is deeper and Bateman is transitioning from triple option to a new scheme. Vernon wins the battle of accrued offensive reps and they have a deeper bench. GI's Pick: Panthers by 18 

Ballenas @ GW Graham: Ballenas will shred the Grizzly defensive edge when these two rivals clash.  The Whalers are deeper, bigger and on balance, faster than the host squad.  GW Graham has an elite running back and he is a game changer, especially with help.  GI's Pick: Whalers by 21

Nanaimo District (AAA) @ John Barsby: Great neighborhood rivalry here to kick-off the season for both teams.   As usual, there are tonnes of story lines between the players and coaches.  Getting down to brass tacks, the edge in size go's to Barsby this year.  Speed is a toss-up and roster depth definitely go's to the Islanders.  The game will likely hinge on some big plays.  Tough one to call but I get paid the big bucks to do just that.  GI's Pick: Barsby by 4

Handsworth (AAA) @ Hugh Boyd: Handsworth is having a renaissance of sorts with their football program.  They will bring a deep and talented bench with them to this game.  Boyd however is on home turf and is veteran in and among themselves.  The Trojans will bring offensive balance and some tough defense to the affair.  If the Royals can get all over the Boyd running back (he's a good one!) the game could get one dimensional for the host squad in a hurry.  GI's Pick: Boyd by 3

Mt. Baker WA @ Clarence Fulton: Fulton likes to schedule US squds early on in the season.  It is usually lop sided on the scoreboard, but I have to believe that Coach Scheller sees something intrinsically good with this practice.  The visitors will likely go for a romp over the Maroons come game day.  Fulton however, will be a better Fulton on Monday's practice field. GI's Pick: Mt. Baker by 40

Valleyview @ PGSS: The Polars are at home. The Polars are bigger.  The Polars are deeper. The Polars are faster.  The Polars are nastier.  If Valleyview changed its name from the Vikings to "Seal Meat"....well, it would be appropriate.  GI's Pick: Polars by 20 plus

Spectrum @ Pitt Meadows: Great opening tilt here.  Spectrum is my co- favorite to win Tier 2 this year and Pitt is much deeper than than they were last year.  The home field advantage for the Marauders will help a lot.  I think Spectrum may start a bit slow and they best hope they don't get down more than two scores early.  If they can stay with Pitt in the late rounds, it is a toss-up.  GI's Pick: Pitt by 13

SRT @ Frank Hurt: Frank Hurt had some excellent players last year in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades!  These guys were big and talented.  They took some hard knocks, but always answered the bell!  They are my co-favorite for the Tier 2 title.  SRT has some serious mojo going and if they can reign in their emotions and not take dumb penalties, they will be in the drivers seat come the 4th quarter.  They certainly are talented.  GI's Pick: Titans by 18

College Heights @ Nechako Valley:  These two teams play each other hard.  Nechako Valley is pretty tough to bet against at home however.  GI's Pick: The Sons of Vanderhoof by 7