Perfection.
For the first time this fall, one of the competitors in Pick 6 had a perfect week. You can probably guess it was Yours Truly. There wouldn’t be this run up had it been THE OTHER GUY.
It feels good, thanks for asking. More important, it pulled me into a season tie with KHQ/SWX sports director Sam Adams.
We endeavor to pick the six most competitive games each week in the region. It makes no sense to pick probable blowouts.
We also do this thing spontaneously, and that explains why we have no differences this week. So we decided that whoever is closer in the point differential in the Cheney/East Valley game will be the week winner.
Knowing how topsy-turvy the Great Northern League is from week to week, Cheney will win and our tiebreaker will be out the door.
Last week: Adams 5-1 (19-11 overall), Lee 6-0 (19-11)
Mead vs. Shadle Park
(Tonight, Joe Albi Stadium, 7:15)Lee: Shadle 36-21. The Highlanders are rolling and should only continue to improve. This is a matchup of teams seemingly going in opposite directions – and in a hurry. Mead has been painfully one-dimensional. It will take a monumental defensive effort by the Panthers.
Adams: Shadle 28-13. Since being held to 14 points in its only loss, Shadle has scored 40, 42 and 63 points the last three weeks. That upward trend may not continue against a stout Mead defense, but the Highlanders should still pull out the win.
Cheney at East Valley
(Friday, 7 p.m.)Lee: EV 25-20. The Knights’ defense was splendid last week and it will take a similar effort against the Blackhawks. This is the game at the start of the season I thought would decide the league title.
Adams: EV 27-20. Perhaps Most surprising about the Knights’ up-and-down season has been their tough defense, which has surrendered zero points the last two games. EV’s offense has been on the mend with injuries to its quarterback and running back. They’ll be relied on heavily to complement the dynamic J.T. Phelan and Gage Burland.
Freeman at Lakeside
(Friday, 7 p.m.)Lee: Freeman 27-13. Speaking of deciding a league title, this one will do so in the Northeast A. The Scotties will continue to cruise but will give up points to the Nine Mile Falls Eagles.
Adams: Freeman 35-0. Am I surprised Freeman is 5-0? No. Am I surprised the Scotties have shut out their last three opponents? Absolutely. Despite facing a talented wide receiver in Coleton Collins, Freeman will extend its shutout streak to 18 quarters.
Newport at Riverside
(Friday, 7 p.m.)Lee: Riverside 33-18. This is easy. Riverside beat Medical Lake and ML beat Newport. And the games weren’t close. That’s good enough for me.
Adams: Riverside 28-19. How can I go against a QB named Sam Zononi? We Sams have to stick together. The Rams should rebound nicely from a blowout loss to Freeman.
Lakeland at Colville
(Friday, 7 p.m.)Lee: Lakeland 23-16. I can’t put a finger on Colville. Will the real Colville please stand up? But I have the pulse of Lakeland, and the The Hawks should get a good road win with league play on the horizon.
Adams: Lakeland 28-15. The Hawks have dominated their two wins this season, beating EV and Deer Park by a combined 78-16. This will be a tough road trip, but I see Lakeland stepping up.
Ferris vs. Mt. Spokane
(Friday, Albi, 5 p.m.)Lee: Ferris 33-17. The question here is which team will stop which team. After the Wildcats gave up 63 to Shadle, we have our answer. Mt. Spokane will be served RB Cole Karstetter left and right. If the Wildcats managed to contain him, they’ll have difficulty stopping Ferris through the air.
Adams: Ferris 38-28. Ferris has established its offensive identity in the past month, rushing for 300-plus yards in each of its last three games. The Wildcats will give the Saxons their stiffest challenge yet in that regard. Look for Ferris to air it out more in a potential high-scoring shootout.
