AA Varsity Week 9

AA Varsity Week Nine

Gridirons Top 5

1. Vernon Panthers
2. Langley Saints
3. Holy Cross Crusaders
4. Prince George Polars
5. John Barsby Bulldogs

GI's Picks

Friday, November 2nd

Ballenas Whalers @ Argyle Pipers: This could be a trap game for Ballenas.  They are on the road; This is Argyle's last hurrah for their Sr. Class; the rosters match-up in terms of size and athleticism.  With HS kids, you just never know for sure how they are going to come out of the gates when the opening whistle blows.  This said, I will go back to "could be".  Ballenas is very good and after a bye week, wounds have been licked and the preparation has been thorough.  Look for the Whaler rushing game to light things-up once again and play action to follow.  Argyle just won't be able to stand in front of that for four quarters. GI's Pick: Whalers by 26

Holy Cross Crusaders @ Windsor Dukes: The stakes couldn't be higher for either team in this game.  A Crusader win puts them in 1st place with a couple weeks to prepare for the BC Quarter-Final.  A loss drops em to 4th.  The Dukes win and they secure the #2 seed out of the West with a bye and a home game in the quarters.  Both squads are playing the best football of their respective seasons.  Defense will be the name of the game in this tilt.  HC is very dangerous with their quick strike deep passing game and has a superbly coached offensive line to run behind.  Windsor has an offense that can hurt you any place, any time on the ground or in the air.  Looking at stats, their pass game is the most efficient percentage wise in the province by a very wide margin.  Their ability to get the right call on the field on every time is something to envy.  Specials in this one are pretty much a draw.  So defense?  Well, who wins this chess game?  I think Windsor does.  They will have more time to think than their opponents.  HC has to win the big game with its own coaches spotting for them as well.  Advantage Windsor. GI's Pick: Dukes by 18 plus.

Clarence Fulton Maroons @ Vernon Panthers: The City of Vernon's HS Football rivalry game is upon us.  Vernon has the dominant roster headed in to this one and should by all objective standards, cruise to a big win this year.  Thing is however, this is a RIVALRY game and things sometimes take "objective standards" twist them into strange football origami and take a life of their own.   I have to say "sometimes" though as Vernon is too well coached and too veteran a roster to fall off the rails in this one. GI's Pick: Big day offensively via air and land for the Panthers who will win by 22 plus.

Westsyde Blue Wave @ South Kamloops Titans: Another cross-town rivalry game here Kamloops style!  There will be 40 and 50 year olds watching this one who wore Blue Wave and Red Devil jerseys back in the day.  The PA better dig up some good 80's tunes!! I would expect a couple grey beards by the name of Bridges and Olthuis to be looking on. On the field, you can expect two very evenly matched rosters laying down the smack for four quarters.  The Titans have been playing some good offense of late and this may very well be the difference come game day.  GI's Pick: Titans by 8

G.W. Graham Grizzlies @ SRT Titans:  This will be a close game.  SRT has tanked since mid-season, but Graham is very short benched.  The Grizzlies will rely heavily on JV's playing-up in order to be effective.  This week of practice will be critical for both squads as this is where the victor will emerge.  Defensively, Graham has to keep the ball from getting any kind of an edge.  The Titans will need their best all around game of the year to win.  GI's Pick: Grizzlies by 11

Robert Bateman Timberwolves @ Langley Saints:  Call this one the AA Varsity Game of The Week.  Up for grabs is 1st place coming out of the East.  Both teams have had a bye headed in to this one.  Both teams are extremely physical.  Langley is the best straight-up power offense in AA football with no one even coming close in that spectrum of the game.  Bateman is FAST and very well balanced on the offensive side of the ball.  Langley has a lethal passing game in store for teams that rob the defensive cupboards to stop the run.  Each team as a result, has some defensive dilemmas before them.  Bateman is the underdog based on weeks 1 thru 8.  Being an underdog is a good thing because it forces a coaching staff to think out of the box a bit.  As long as one does not stray too far out of the box that is.  Special teams may be the winning edge for either squad when all things are considered.  GI's Pick: Langley grinds the Timberwolves down over 4 quarters of play. Saints by 12

Nechako Valley Vikings @ College Heights Cougars: The Vikings struggled mightily against the Cougars earlier this year and the sons of Ragnar will likely meet a similar fate as they are just flat-out outmatched in terms of roster depth.  GI's Pick: Cougars by 24

Kelley Road Roadrunners @ Prince George Polars:  The Polar Dynasty up north will end after this season for a few years.  This year however, PGSS is hitting its stride with a running game that is a provincial level operation.  Look for a big game between the tackles and runs that get bigger and bigger as the game progresses for the Polars.  GI's Pick: PGSS by 26