Week 10 and how time funs when you’re having flies. There is a lot on the line for several teams this week, divisional championships, better playoff seeding or actually making the playoffs. Yes, I ate crow with Graham coming up big against North Union and called out for my pigeon statement but then they dumped against the Raiders, WTH? Uh, Uh, Uh, we had three turnovers, refs were terrible, blah, blah, blah and Ben Logan may sneak in the playoffs with that win. I can only guess that it was a practical joke…got it.
Gamma guesses, jinxes and maybe some comments that can trigger the snowflakes, which BTW I saw this morning.
Starting with the Mad River Division
Northwestern at Benjamin Logan - BL in a big win or a tight or big win/loss this week. This depends on if the BL players and coaches realize their prize for 4-6 record maybe Glenville in week 11. Maybe 3-7 would be better in the long run. NW, I haven’t given up on you but yes, I have. I’m being a pessimistic optimist for the Warriors this week and I’m positive I don't have high hopes for them in this game. NW is a scrappy bunch and as long they haven’t started with single leg take downs and free throws, this could provide a mild upset. However, I will go with the Raiders in a squeaker, 48-13.
Graham at Indian Lake - Last week at this time I would be looking at the Falcons to move on into the playoffs with a lot of confidence and a shot a Co-Champs. Now, I am wondering if they have the confidence to find the Laker field…Highway 235 North on the right…can’t miss it, it looks like a big brick building with lots of grass and lights surrounding it. Nothing else to say here. The birds of St. Paris take this home and prep for week 11. 56-14.
North Union at Graham – Game of the WEEK. The Climbers are finding that old magic and are rolling, while the Wildcats are still recovering from the Graham upset. Two different team styles and one has my OPOY and DPOY but will they be enough. I picked Urbana several weeks ago as the MR Champion (Co-Champ at this point) and I will stick with that, sorry all you doubters. Both teams have been lights on offensively through divisional play but Urbana has been stingy on defense. This could be an OT game and I will take the Climbers 35-28.
Kenton Trail Division
Bellefontaine at London - If The U and The NU weren’t playing, I’d give this ticket the game of the week but I must give some love to the little conference brothers every now and then. I can give many reasons why Belle wins this and a team load of answers why the Red Raiders win this. However, looking at stats I see Air St. Clair doesn’t need the gaudy numbers to push the Chefs into victory lane. He has a stout RB that can and will hurt you and that makes Bellefontaine my favorite for this game. Maybe London should consult with LeBeau on how to slow down this Power 5 QB (he would look great in a golden dome, just say’n). I see this as a running clock at 54-17 Chiefs…yes, I spelled it correctly this time.
Kenton Ridge at Tecumseh – My OPOY, Lucas Berner, had a huge game against the Pioneers but fell short in that coveted win. As told to me, the Arrows should have won last week’s game and hoping for a London win this week to share the title. Who would have guessed Tecumseh would have been 2-2 in the passing game. Looking at scores and recaps, I don’t think there is a KT team that wants to see the Arrows gain this year. I give the CBC Head Coach of the Year to Tecumseh. KR showed some nuts against Shawnee but quickly fell back into their reality. This will probably be the most boring game where 65 points are scored but I will take Berner with his 30 rushes for 210 yards and a 45-20 win.
Jonathan Alder at Shawnee – Oh boy, this will be a barn burner. JA rushing and Shawnee spreading. JA relies a lot on Jewel and the Shawnee coaches are too smart and will game plan this to slow him down a bit but their players have to execute to pull it off. Jewel still gets his 40 touches and big yards but the Braves with the back up QB (with no INTs this week) on senior night come out of their teepees and scalp the Pioneers. I think this is an absolute must win for Shawnee to make the playoffs and if I remember correctly, they were in the same situation several years ago and you guessed it, against JA. I’ll take the Braves 31-28.
May or may not see you next week with my guesses. Good luck to all teams and any year we have HS football is a great year.
