Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Time for the Week 7 picks

But first, a quick update on Kristi Beyer, the Kamiakin senior who suffered a knee injury in Tuesday's volleyball match against Southridge.

Turns out it was the worst, after all -- a torn MCL and ACL in her left knee that will sideline her the rest of the season. She will have surgery in about five weeks after the swelling has finally gone down, and now the question is whether Beyer (a hurdler and jumper) will be back for track season.

Went 11-2 last week, missing only on Kamiakin's OT thriller over Wa-Hi and Hanford's big Homecoming 'W' over Eastmont.

That makes the ol' season mark 63-21 -- a .750 clip. I'll take that ... for now.

Chiawana at Walla Walla

Chiawana's flickering playoff hopes finally will get extinguished at Borleske Stadium by a Blue Devils team that's gotta still be smarting from giving up a three-touchdown lead to Kamiakin. Walla Walla 35-7

Hanford at Eisenhower

The Falcons showed some fight last week in beating Eastmont, but the Cadets are rolling now and are not going to let Hanford derail their title run. Eisenhower 28-12

Kamiakin at Richland

In all my considerations about whether Wa-Hi vs. Kamiakin last week was for second place in the CBBN Cascade, I forgot all about the Bombers, who have quietly snuck into position where if they win out the final two games (they finish at Wa-Hi), they would get the No. 2 seed. That's what a 1-3 start will do. While Richland certainly has improved the past two weeks, its inability to move the ball through the air will prove costly tonight. The Braves are too good a team for an opponent to be one-dimensional offensively and be successful. Kamiakin 27-13

Davis at Moses Lake

Davis' last, best chance to break its league losing streak was snuffed out in the dying seconds by Sunnyside last week. Just don't see it happening at Lions Field. Moses Lake 34-8

Kennewick at Southridge

The disparities in the defenses will be the difference in this one. Southridge is No. 1 in the CBBN in total defense and points allowed. Kennewick is No. 15 in total defense and points allowed. The Suns don't have an offensive juggernaut, but their offense is good enough to exploit that kind of disparity -- Homecoming or not. Southridge 29-7

Wenatchee at Sunnyside

For some reason, the Grizzlies always seem to give the Panthers fits. I don't see a Sunnyside upset, but I do see the Griz giving the Panthers more trouble than the records would otherwise indicate. Wenatchee 24-10

Mountain View at Hermiston

The Bulldogs got back on track last week against a lousy Crook County team. Further, Mountain View just lost its starting quarterback to an injury. The winner has the inside track to the IMC's No. 2 state berth, a first-round bye and a second-round home game against the PIL runner-up. Hermiston 34-14

Othello at Quincy

The Huskies continue their easy portion of the CWAC schedule before a murderous final two weeks. Othello 48-8

Wapato at Prosser

This is the wrong time for the Wolves to be coming to Art Fiker. You know the Mustangs are pissed after getting dominated at home by Ellensburg. Prosser 49-14

Royal at River View

This has been an incredibly lopsided series of late. River View hasn't won since 1993, and Royal's victory margins this decade -- 50-22, 55-6, 21-18 (in 2001), 54-7, 61-0, 48-12, 51-0, 56-7, 66-6 and 41-6 -- speaking for themselves. That 2001 Panthers team that almost upset the Knights was quarterbacked by current RV coach Brett Jay. I think River View makes this more of a game than in recent years, but I don't see a Panthers victory. Royal 35-21

Wahluke at Connell

The Eagles have too much offensive balance and defensive oomph to let Wahluke get a sniff of an upset. Connell 45-13

Warden at Kiona-Benton

This game could go awhile. Both teams like to throw the ball ... a lot. And both offenses have loads of firepower. Kiona-Benton 42-35

Naches Valley at Columbia (Burbank)

A quick breather for both teams before they return to league play. NV is coming off a big win over Goldendale-Klickitat and doesn't want to see its momentum fizzle. Naches Valley 25-13

Asotin at Liberty Christian

The Panthers can name the score in this one. LC is building its program, hoping one day it can match the Panthers. Asotin 55-12

DeSales at Waitsburg-Prescott

Is this the year W-P finally breaks through against the Irish? I really want to say yes, but the Irish's grueling nonleague slate will pay dividends tonight in a close matchup. DeSales 28-22

Tri-Cities Prep at St. John-Endicott

A breather for the Jaguars before next week's showdown with LaCrosse-Washtucna at Edgar Brown Stadium. Prep 58-12

I'm at Fran Rish tonight.

See you under the Friday night lights ...