Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Week 10 picks

Heading out shortly for Othello and the CWAC showdown between the fourth-ranked Huskies and top-ranked Ellensburg for the conference title.

First, though, tis time to unveil this week's picks and pans.

The panning goes to my picking from Week 9 -- an unacceptable 11-4. Went with an upset that missed -- Kamiakin took care of Kennewick -- while I also missed Davis over Hanford, DeSales over Asotin and Walla Walla over Moses Lake.

Ugh!

I did hit the century mark, though, with a season mark of 100-29.

Southridge at Mead

If I weren't going to Othello, this is the game I'd want to watch tonight. Two of the best defenses in the state will do battle at Albi Stadium, and it might be a "first to 14" game. You know Mead is going to do its darndest to stop Suns RB Dallin Palmer, so the key for them will be to get enough of a passing attack going to not allow the Panthers to put eight men in the box. Good luck with that -- Mead has the GSL's No. 1 pass defense. The Panthers are much more balanced offensively and don't have an obvious threat to load up to stop. That, and the fact the game is at Albi and not Lampson, makes me lean toward a Panthers win. Mead 21-14

Walla Walla at Eisenhower

This game should be much closer than the teams' first meeting in Walla Walla -- a 37-7 Ike romp. Wa-Hi is a different team now that Gary Winston is a big-play threat on offense. But I still see the same victor on the scoreboard. Eisenhower 28-23

East Valley at Hanford

It's hard to gauge just how good the Falcons are because they've been beat up by 4A teams all year. But so has East Valley. Again, I'm going to give the home team the nod in a close game. Hanford 27-26

Sunnyside at Mount Spokane

The Wildcats might just be the best team on the eastside, regardless of classification. Mount Spokane 45-17

Hermiston at Pendleton

No way the Bulldogs lose to their archrivals in a year Pendleton is really struggling. Hermiston 38-15

Ellensburg at Othello

This game comes down to which defense can get enough stops, because both of these offenses should move the ball most of the game. I just don't know if Othello has enough secondary players to stop the Bulldogs' array of receiving options. Ellensburg 35-21

Prosser at Grandview

The Valley rivalry should be a lot closer than in past years, but in the end, it should end up the same as it has for the previous 12 meetings. Prosser 34-21

Cle Elum at Connell

If they use the running clock 45-point rule in the playoffs, expect it to be used much of the second half in this one. Connell 54-7

Goldendale-Klickitat at Royal

OK, the Knights are not the dominant force of the recent past, but they are good enough to pull this one out and get back to state. Royal 38-16

River View at Naches Valley

This should be the most competitive of the four SCAC crossover games. I just think the East was the stronger division this year, and the Panthers are the stronger team. River View 38-30

Wahluke at Zillah

Sorry. No chance for the East sweep. Zillah 45-13

Burbank at Highland

The Coyotes close out their first year under Rich Harris with some momentum for winter weights. Burbank 35-12

Kiona-Benton at Mabton-Bickleton

These teams met just a couple of weeks ago in Benton City. Different locale. Same result. Kiona-Benton 38-14

Shadle Park at Pasco

Do the Bulldogs care at this point? That's what will decide who wins this game, because Pasco has the offensive firepower to blow this game out -- if it so desires. Pasco 28-18

Moses Lake at University

The Chiefs deserved a better fate than to be relegated to this meaningless game. Moses Lake 35-24

Kamiakin at Central Valley

This is a great matchup for the Braves. Their top passing attack in the CBBN takes on the GSL's worst pass defense. Corey Hutchison is starting to develop some chemistry with receivers not named Tim White. As long as that continues Saturday at Albi, the Braves will be back in the state playoffs. Kamiakin 34-24

See you under the Friday night lights.

Then it's off to Spokane for the 4A Eastern Regional volleyball tournament.

Til next time ...