Here we go with the last of the crossovers and half way through the regular season. I am taking different approach this week in my picks and scores to avoid the IL over Allen East and the U clocking Graham push backs. My picks are strictly based on points for and against with a bit of a fudge.
Indian Lake (3-1) at Bellefontaine (3-1): Who played a tougher schedule coming into this game? The Lakers have some cats that can play with Lillard having 3 INT over the first four weeks and the team probably have exceeded expectations at this point. The Chefs may have found their stride the past couple or weeks BUT the rushing was a bit underwhelming against Ben Logan. Statistically, the Chefs should double up the Lakers (34-17) but I will go a bit further and give this one to Bellefontaine and tOSU future QB 48-14.
Ben Logan (0-4) at Big Jon Alder (3-1): When published stats are a zero, well that is maybe what BL can expect...my question is why? Give the kids a shout out for their accomplishments. Jewell is the fire in Pioneerland cabin and his only blemish is against a stout Bloom Carroll. I suspect he will have 250-300 yards this week that will put him well over the grand rushing mark buuuuuttttt, the next five weeks could be different. Still no passing to help him out. The stats say JA 56- BL 14 and I'll stick with that and not throw more shade on the Raider faithful.
Shawnee (3-1) at Kenton Ridge (3-1): This is my game of the week and another huge points game for both teams. The Braves fought hard last week but were held in check by that Red Raider DEFENSE, they only had 34 plays for 150 total yards, ouch! The Braves may be under estimated in DIV and that is good for them but by years end; everyone in R16 will know their name. KR...not sure what to make of them. They seem to have a decent defense and are a +51 but their offense is questionable to put points on the board quickly and I can see the Braves being at least equal to the Burg and that is bad news for these kittens. Even with this being a rivalry, I will stick with the stats, Braves 23 Cougars 13 and the first time I have picked the Braves to win this year, uh oh....
Graham (0-4) at London (4-): What can we say here other than Graham's schedule gets tougher? The Falcons have several kids in the top five for tackles in the conference and showed vast improvement against the U last week with their offense. I see a Graham upset in the MR schedule...keep chipping away. Though I seem to pick on the Eyas, I am pulling for them to succeed. However, London is a different nightmare. My heart goes out to Sollars and my prayers are with him. London still has a Jones and if he is the next man up, then the Red Raiders are in good position to fine tune the offense (defense is already there) to get ready for that Chefs showdown next week. London dials it back a bit this week 43-10
Northwestern (1-3) at Tecumseh (2-2): Dont let the records fool you here. NW has a cat that is all that and a bag of chips. He is the offense for the Warriors and is top 20 in the CBC for tackles. If Reid Smith played for Shawnee, this kid would have consideration for OPOY in the MR. Yes, Tecumseh is big and not so fast but the Bledsoe kid is more than the Warriors have seen. This is my overtime game and I will go out on a limb here at take NW 24-21.
North Union ((1-3) at Urbana (4-0): I and probably others expected more from the Richwood Rowdies. The kittens have less than 1100 yards total offense on the year but their defense has been stingy. The Climbers, who have not a single second level point in R16 have dominated their opponents and comfortably sit in the playoffs. These may be two teams headed in opposite directions come divisional play. Urbana needs this more than NU and with a stats based prediction the Climbers 34-17.
Good luck to all and prayers for NO MORE injuries.
. Now the Braves have bigger fish to fry to get that divisional title and get a favorable seeding. Congrats Red Raiders, that win pushed you to the top of R11.
