AA Varsity Week 8

AA Varsity Week Eight

Gridirons Top 5

1. Vernon Panthers
2. Windsor Dukes
3. Langley Saints
4. Ballenas Whalers

5. Holy Cross Crusaders

 

GI's Picks

Friday, October 26th

Sulivan Heights Stars (AAA) @ Holy Cross Crusaders: This is a great tune-up game for the surging Crusaders headed in to a week 9 clash with massive playoff implications vs the Windsor Dukes.  Games like this represent an opportunity to give opponents down the line lots and lots of eye candy to sort through in terms of game prep and the triage of what to practice against.  Sullivan Heights is completing their first year of varsity play and will benefit immensely from this game as well.  Look for the Crusaders to run the ball effectively in between the tackles throughout this contest.  GI's Pick: Crusaders by 28

John Barsby Bulldogs @ Windsor Dukes: Watching Windsor play football is truly a pleasure.  They are a) fundamentally sound b) high football IQ top to bottom and back up to the top c) very, very efficient.  I do not think a team in the province at any level can maneuver and adjust in real time as fast as the Dukes.  Coach Schuman's ability to observe, adjust and communicate with his offense between the whistles should be a study for any coach who wants to dramatically improve his team's lethality, particularly on offense. Wow!  The Dukes are always tough and they are particularly good at home.  Barsby, when it is on its game, is also tough to defend with a lot of offensive weapons of its own.  Both defenses are going to have to bring their A-Game to this one.  The ability to prevent quick strikes and extended yards after the catch/yards after contact will be huge for both teams.  Special teams will of course, factor in heavily. GI's Pick: Tough to go against the Dukes, especially at home. Windsor by 7

SRT Titans @ Robert Bateman Timberwolves:  Bateman is a very good football team with an outstanding array of athletes as is SRT.  Both teams are coming off of bye weeks and will be very well rested and prepared for one another when the action starts.   Some things to consider: Bateman is at home; Bateman has played a tougher schedule this year; Bateman didn't line-up in front of the Langley mincing machine of and offense a week ago; on balance, Bateman is faster; Bateman's offense is more diverse. GI's Pick: Add it all up and Batemen is a 14 pt. favorite.

Westsyde Blue Wave @ Vernon Panthers: Westsyde is playing its best ball in years.  Morale in the program is pretty much at an all time high in recent memory.  Vernon however is flat out dominant athletically and in terms of depth.  Vernon is also playing at home.  GI's Pick: Panthers by 30

South Kamloops Titans @ Valleyview Vikings: The Titans are a pretty good squad in the context of the Interior Conference landscape.  Look for them to pound away on the ground and get some good vertical production off of the play action pass.  The Titan roster is also deeper and more talented.  GI's Pick: Titans by 17

Salmon Arm Golds @ Clarence Fulton Maroons:  Another good game for the Interior.  Salmon Arm gets some more ball for their exhibition season and the Maroons get to work out all the kinks headed in to their week nine rivalry game vs Vernon.  Fulton will run and pass very well in this game en route to a big score.  GI's Pick: Maroons by 21

Nechako Valley Vikings @ Prince George Polars: PGSS is the class of the northern varsity squads and they will be hitting all cylinders when they host the outmatched Vikings.  GI's Pick: Polars by 30 plus.

College Heights @ Kelley Road:  This game will determine second and third place in the Northern Conference.  Kelley Road has been playing better defense than the visitors this year and with the weather turning sour, this will weigh in heavily.  Look for a fairly tight game that comes down to a couple big plays offensively/turnovers to determine the outcome.  GI's Pick: Roadrunners by 7

Saturday, October 27th

Howe Sound Sounders @ Ballenas Whalers: Ballenas is smarting after a big loss vs divisional rival Windsor.  Howe Sound is limping in to the final weeks of the season with a small roster.  If this game gets played, Ballenas will build some much needed confidence headed in to their final week of play.  GI's Pick: Whalers by 25