Mead vs. Rogers @ Albi = Not a great looking match-up on this soggy Thursday at Albi. The Pirates limp into this one sporting the 2nd worst rush defense giving up nearly 8yds a rush. The Panthers come in as the leagues 2nd best rush offense at 6.5 yds per pop. Mead RB Barlow showed signs of being injured at the end of the SP game a week ago, so another week out could best serve the Panthers. The good news in Pirate Land is that tough junior RB Luke Rogers should return after a 2 week hiatus. Panthers run away 48-6.
Mt. Spokane vs. Ferris @ Albi = Well, just about the same scenario of the 1st game on Thursday night. The Wildcats show up as the leagues statistically worst defense vs. the rush giving up 1,465 yds on 214 attempts. The Saxons roll in as the leagues #3 rushing offense but #1 in yds per carry at 6.99. Too much Saxon ground game in this one. Cole Heidinger's slow start seems unthinkable now, as the senior Saxon RB has quickly climbed into the 3rd spot in the leagues rushing title race (674 yds 8.87 per rush). The Wildcats will attempt to dent the Ferris run defense as the boys on the hill are only surrendering 97yds a game on the ground. Saxons 35, Mt. Spokane 20
LC vs. SP @ Albi = If I am a Tiger fan, these next two weeks would scare me. Games vs. SP and Mt. Spokane on paper say you should win them. But, both teams offer unique wrinkles and the key will be how well the boys in Orange & Black prepare mentally for these teams. The Tigers are currently the #1 offense in the league avg’n 404 yds per game thanks to the leagues leading rusher Ammar Johnson (811yds 11 TDs) and 2nd ranked passer Jeff Livingston (1029yds; 59%). With the rain being a possible major factor this week for SP’s Levi McBournie (886yds), I look for Johnson and Crew to attack the 8th ranked SP rush defense. I will take LC, but think this might be closer then it looks on the scoreboard. LC 28, SP 20.
CV at G-Prep = The lights will be on Friday at the Euclid St. Stadium to welcome back former Pup alum and Bear coach Rick Giampietri. The Pups are coming in 1-2 in their last 3 games thanks to youth and injury’s. The Bears are coming off a tough loss to Ferris a week ago and the 1st half may still be a bit of a challenge to focus on the task at hand. With the injuries and youth, the pecking order of the Pup starters isn’t as solid among the Catholic masses like it usually is. Too bad GP coach David McKenna can’t plug in an O'Doherty or Eugenio to silence the bleacher chat. The beauty of this Bears team is all the skill players they have. In some ways, I bet Coach Rick G would love to red-shirt a few. There offensive balance run/pass is evidence of the amount of skill guys they have on the edges and backfield. Give me that balance along with the senior 3rd year starter at QB to lead the Bears outta the Logan Neighborhood with a ‘W’. Bears 33, Pups 20
U-Hi vs. NC @ Albi = Wow,,, did NC coach Gardner and his trusty sidekick DB coach Mr. King cut a deal with Mother Nature in the offseason?? A week after the NC “D” got to experience what the consequences of the forward pass could do, they get rain this week vs. the leagues #1 ranked flinger. If U-Hi’s Conner Johnson wants to pad his passing stats in this one, he is going to have to do it in wet conditions. The good news for the Titans is that #1 they get to play this game on the turf and #2 they are starting to show signs of a running game. Last week vs. Mt. Spokane, Titan RB Zach Bruce topped the 100yard mark for the first time all season for the boys in the Valley. With a win, the old college coach will lock up the #1 3A seed in the playoffs. Not enough help for Hoffman & the Indians in this contest, I will take U-Hi 31, NC 14.
Posted on 10/6 10:40 AM | IP: Logged
I think Coach G may have attended North Central but could be mistaken.
Posted on 10/7 4:22 PM | IP: Logged
Trailing The Pulse by a game at 19-6, it does not look like the week to make a move.
MEAD 34, ROGERS 7 - The first real taste of fall will include rain Thursday night at The Joe. All it means is that the Panthers may have an extra fumble or two they otherwise would not have had while rolling the rushing yards up. Who would have thought they would only have ~375 passing yards after week #5? When Wetzel was a soph I think they threw for ~1500 yards. It is a Brave New Panther Offense as the Jet/Fly goes.
FERRIS 37, MT SPOKANE 14 - I shouldn't be that surprised Coach Sharkey and his staff were able to adjust their offense so quickly to the personnel changes which were forced upon them this summer. It just goes to show you how far ahead of the league they really are. The Wildcats simply do not have the big boys in the trenches to perform as they have the past several years.
LEWIS & CLARK 31, SHADLE PARK 10 - Not many people would have predicted before the season began that the Tigers would lead the GSL in total offense, but that is exactly where they are. For my money, QB Livingston is the best in the league this year. The Green and Gold had trouble moving the ball vs. Mead last week, and I'm not sure that will change much Friday night.
CENTRAL VALLEY 30, GONZAGA PREP 14 - Bears look to rebound after a game effort vs. Ferris; they played on even terms through three quarters before the Saxons imposed their will on the game. I think CV will be properly motivated to get that bad taste out of their collective mouth and move the ball with precision on the ground and in the air. GP has had a tough time staying healthy, although Coach McKenna certainly is making no excuses for his team's results. Unfortunately, it will be another long night for his charges.
UNIVERSITY 28, NORTH CENTRAL 19 - I really wanted to go with the Fighting Sandbergs in this one, but I just don't think they can keep the Titans out of the endzone enough. The Pulse is dead on about the Valley boys' offense, as Mr. Bruce provided a nice jolt last week. If they can continue to improve in that area and QB Johnson also makes another leap, they could be a tough out come playoff time. By the way, NC do-it-all Hoffman is the best player in the GSL no one talks much about.
Posted on 10/6 3:15 PM | IP: Logged
Spokane, tune into 1510am For the 'Locker Room Show' I will talking about this weeks match-ups at about 5:35pm Thursday.
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