Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Week 8 Friday picks

It's the final week of the CBBN regular season, which means a couple meaningful games and a couple of dogs to finish out the slate.

Then again, Chiawana-Kamiakin looked like it would be a woofer, and it turned out to be a nailbiter, so when it comes to high school football, you never know.

Went 14-2 last week with the picks, missing on Mountain View over Hermiston and Waitsburg-Prescott over DeSales. Guess it was the Cardinal-Tigers' year after all (can't remember how they finally decided to choose a mascot).

That makes the season mark 77-23. If only I were as good picking lottery numbers ...

Hanford at West Valley

After six weeks of playing 4A opponents, Hanford gets a crack at clinching the No. 1 3A seed with a win in Yakima against the Rams, who are vastly improved from a year ago. The Falcons have been playing better the past few weeks, although they have only the win over Eastmont to show for it. They'll finally see the fruits of that labor tonight. Hanford 31-14

Richland at Walla Walla

The Bombers need to win this game and have Eastmont not pull the upset against Eisenhower in order to grab the Cascade Division's No. 3 crossover seed. Richland is another team that has played improved ball in recent weeks, and if this game were at Fran Rish, I'd give the Bombers real good odds of knocking off the Blue Devils. But this game is at Borleske, which is always good for a touchdown edge for Wa-Hi. The Blue Devils are a blown fourth quarter vs. Kamiakin away from having clinched the No. 2 seed, and with WR Gary Winston (10 TDs in four games), they have the explosiveness offensively to win this one. Walla Walla 31-21

Pasco at Kennewick

The Bulldogs have been reeling ever since their Week 3 near-miss vs. Wenatchee, but the Lions have the worst defense in the CBBN. Pasco has had two weeks to get ready for this game, and I think it'll be primed to get back on track. Kennewick, though, is playing in AD Ronny Coleman's memory tonight, with the pregame tailgate fundraiser dovetailing into this must-win to get the No. 4 seed and a shot at archrival Kamiakin. The Lions will ride this emotional wave to a hard-fought victory. Kennewick 35-28

Sunnyside at Moses Lake

The Grizzlies won't roll over and play dead for the Chiefs, but ML has too many weapons for Sunnyside to handle. Moses Lake 44-21

Prosser at Selah

It's do-or-die for the Mustangs, who must win this game or else see their playoff hopes bite the dust. Selah is coming off a 19-0 loss to Ellensburg, and that physical pounding could take its toll. Prosser has had a week to recover from its Ellensburg beatdown, and Mustang pride won't let them fail in this one. Prosser 34-20

Wapato at Othello

One last tuneup for the Huskies before a two-week sprint to the finish with Selah and Ellensburg. Othello 45-14

Burbank at Wahluke

Winner pretty much wraps up the SCAC East's No. 4 district seed. The Coyotes offense is still a work in progress and has floundered the past couple of weeks, and the game is in Mattawa. Wahluke 28-21

Connell at Royal

The Eagles are ready for some revenge after losing at home to the Knights last year. Royal is good, but not Royal good, while Connell has been really good this year. Connell 38-20

River View at Warden

This game could last a long time. Both teams love to pass the ball on every down, in every situation. River View just does it a little better. River View 42-16

Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia at Liberty Christian

The Patriots have been getting beat up the past couple of weeks by the Southeast 2B powers. They'll enjoy a game against a foe more at their level. Liberty Christian 35-28

LaCrosse-Washtucna at Tri-Cities Prep

The Tigercats are having an off year, and Prep is finding its groove with the return of QB Will Hoppes from injury. Prep 56-38

Hermiston at Hillsboro

The Bulldogs take a break from IMC play, but this is no picnic, traveling down to play Oregon 5A's top-ranked team. Hillsboro 38-24

Mabton at Kiona-Benton

Break up the Bears. They'll be on a winning streak after tonight. Ki-Be 35-27

I'll be at the Lamp tonight.

See you under the Friday night lights ...