AA Varsity Week 3
Gridirons Top 5
1. Vernon Panthers
2. John Barsby Bulldogs
3. Ballenas Whalers
4. Windsor Dukes
5. Holy Cross Crusaders
GI's Picks
Thursday, September 20th
Prince George Polars @ College Heights Cougars: PG is coming off a rough road trip and the Cougs are coming off a tie. The Polars are deeper offensively than the home team and the competition they faced last week has certainly tuned up their game. GI's Pick: Polars by 8
Nechako Valley Vikings @ D.P. Todd Trojans: The Vikings have a game under their belt and the jump from week 1 to week 2 usually is the most dramatic in terms of quality all season long. The Trojans have their season debut this week. There are going to be some kinks to work out. GI's Pick: Vikings by 3
Friday, September 21st
Westsyde Blue Wave @ Robert Bateman Timberwolves: Both squads are coming off of tough losses this past weekend. I think the Bateman roster is far more athletic than the visitors and their passing game is as tough to defend as it gets. This game is good for Westsyde as consecutive games against Lower Mainland teams will surely help them up their game headed in to Interior league play. As an aside, great to see Bob Bridges listed on the Westsyde staff. He is a provincial H.S. Football treasure! GI's Pick: Bateman by 21
Langley Saints @ Clarence Fulton Maroons: Both of these teams love to run the football and defend the run. Langley will have a definite size advantage up-front. Special teams could be the great evener for Fulton if the Maroons are on top of their game. GI's Pick: Langley by 19
Windsor Dukes @ Argyle Pipers: This yearly game has all the makings of becoming a rivalry game between the two programs. Windsor was very impressive in their season opener vs Bateman last week. The Dukes offensive line is stellar and the offense looks to be a real buzz saw this year. Defense and special teams for the Dukes are as per-usual, solid. Argyle is no slouch themselves, particularly with the "skill position" types. I don't think they can hang with Windsor up front and this is going to be problematic because Windsor executes its scheme very well. GI's Pick: Dukes by 21
Frank Hurt Hornets @ SRT Titans: This is going to be a much needed breakout game for SRT and it's backfield trifecta. SRT will be dominant at all positions in this game. GI's Pick: Titans by 34 on some big offensive runs/catches
Salmon Arm Golds @ Vernon Panthers: Salmon Arm is going to be walking in to a literal hornet's nest on Friday as the Panthers are going to be venting some team frustration after a frustrating, one sided loss vs Terry Fox. Vernon is way better than last week's score and Coach Smith and crew will have their understudies ready to go for this tilt. GI's Pick: Vernon by 26
Saturday September 22nd
Kelly Road Roadrunners @ South Kamloops Titans: SKS will continue to feed on the North in this game. Kelly Road will be a tougher opponent than Nechako Valley was last week, but they still are outmatched in this tilt vs an opponent with a balanced pass-run offensive attack. GI's Pick: Titans by 15
Pitt Meadows Marauders @ Earl Marriot Mariners (AAA): Earl Marriot was a big beneficiary of the folding of the Hugh Boyd program with several players arriving to play for the Mariners. Notably, Boyd's quarterback who has a lazer arm and some great receivers to spray the ball around to. Further, Marriot had a solid JV squad in 2017 and their JV's that joined this year's varsity crew are going to factor in heavily. Pitt is always tough and scrappy and their defense brings a lot of heat. The Marauders will leave it all on the field come Saturday. GI's Pick: Marriot by 18
John Barsby Bulldogs @ Howe Sound Sounders: This is Howe Sound's first game of the season and it is league play. What they put on the field is a total mystery as no one has seen em yet this year. I predict a big, athletic roster with a bent towards smash mouth football based on their historical tendencies. Barsby will continue to throw the ball as per-weeks one and two while relying on tough defense and solid special teams. GI's Pick: Barsby by 18
G.W. Graham Grizzlies @ Ballenas Whalers: The Grizzlies are good and have four big-time difference makers in their backfield and on defense. Their problem is that their varsity numbers are very low. The JV call-ups (they are very good) are going to have to have a big showing on Saturday vs the Whalers. Ballenas is a true power football team with the deepest group of linemen type body's I have seen in their program since 2004. They are built for battles of attrition. This is not what G.W. wants to be up against at all. GI's Pick: Whalers by 18
