Apparently Sam Adams wants more punishment.
The KHQ/SWX sports director and yours truly went head to head on weekly prep football picks last year in something we called Pick 6.
We had a tightly contested battle, going down to the final week of the playoffs. But the Scribe knocked off the Talking Head.
It went down to the final week. Lee finished 54-22 overall, .711 percent; Adams finished 53-23 overall, .697.
Sam has graciously agreed to go at it again (and lose again!).
Let’s get to it.
Wenatchee vs. Mead, Friday, Albi, 5
Lee: Wenatchee won the Big 9 Conference title last year and lost much to graduation. But Wenatchee will be in the hunt for one of the league’s three state playoff berths. Mead is rebuilding somewhat. Mead has speed and speed can get to the end zone at any time. Still, Wenatchee will prevail. Wenatchee 27, Mead 21.
Adams: Wenatchee defending league champs and rebuilding somewhat. Mead has a lot of incentive, but I see Wenatchee pulling it out. Wenatchee 21, Mead 14.
West Valley at Lakeland, Friday, 7
Lee: The Hawks pulled off a nice road win at Lewiston last week. They’ll show the home folks why they could be in the mix come state playoff time. WV is favored to win the Great Northern League, but I like Lakeland at home. Lakeland 32, WV 20.
Adams: I guess my wagon is firmly hitched to the IEL. Lakeland held Lewiston to 10 points in its opener, and quarterback Tyrel Derrick (last season’s newcomer of the year in the IEL) will only get better. I’ll give the Hawks the slight advantage having one game under their belts. Lakeland 17, WV 10.
Sandpoint at University, Friday, 7
Lee: Sandpoint lost an opener it probably should have won. The Bulldogs have some playmakers and U-Hi has some big holes to fill due to graduation. Something tells me coach Rob Bartlett will have his Titans ready to go. U-Hi 27, Sandpoint 21.
Adams: This should make for a great matchup. Sandpoint narrowly lost to Post Falls in its opener, and now it travels to Spokane Valley to visit the Titans. U-Hi will be well conditioned and will take on a Bulldog team that left everything on the field last week. But I still can’t shake the feeling that Sandpoint will pull off the big win this time around. In what I’m calling an upset … Sandpoint 20, U-Hi 17.
Richland at Gonzaga Prep, Friday, 7
Lee: The Bombers’ strengths are in their lines and at running back. This will be a stiff test for the Bullpups, who are breaking in a new offensive line. It seems like we say that every year, though. G-Prep has talented skill players led by senior running back Jack Bamis, and the Bullpups defense should be stout. But I see Richland controlling the trenches. Richland 30, G-Prep 20.
Adams: Did you know the Bullpups started last season 3-0 and 8-0 the year before? Coach Dave McKenna has these guys ready out of the gates year after year. But this may be their toughest draw yet to start a season. How good is Richland? Ask Ferris, which got bombed by the Bombers in the playoffs last season. My heart tells me the Bullpups will pull off the upset. My head says otherwise. Richland 35-28.
Lewis and Clark at Lake City, Friday, 7
Lee: Lake City opened with a brilliant 39-37 win on the road against talented Rocky Mountain. A field goal as time expired lifted the Timberwolves to victory. Lewis and Clark will be a team to reckon with in the 4A GSL. Lake City’s head start coupled with two of the speediest backs in the region – Jerry Louie-McGee and Connor Newby – will be too much for the visiting Tigers. Lake City 31, Lewis and Clark 21.
Adams: Every year I jump on the Lake City bandwagon. Why stop now? They may actually have improved at quarterback with Michael Goggin taking the reins this year. He had just four incomplete pass attempts in that last-second win at Rocky Mountain. The T-Wolves will be fun to watch this year, no doubt about it. Lake City 35, Lewis and Clark 27.
Central Valley at Coeur d’Alene, Friday, 7
Lee: This could come down to which teams’ offensive and defensive lines control the trenches. Simple as that. Both are inexperienced up front. CdA gets the edge here with its skill players. CdA 34, CV 17.
Adams: The Vikings have always had the offense but I’m stunned that they held Skyline to 13 last week. This season will be no walk in the park for CdA but its offensive scheme is tough to defend. Given that CV is a notorious slow starter I’ll give with the Vikings. CdA 35, CV 24.
