Prep football: Pick 6
Two straight weeks picking the same winners ends this week.And we could have had more differences. Not sure who didn’t have enough guts – yours truly or Sam Adams. This is the time of the fall that Sam begins trying to chip away at my lead. The scoreboard reads: Lee 19-5 (.792), Adams 15-2 (.625) after we went 4-2 last week.
Central Valley vs. Mead,
Thursday, Albi, 7:15
Lee: The Panthers are capable of beating the Bears. But for me, this comes down to continuity – the familiarity of tradition, an established program and a team with a sound defense. That sums up CV. Mead has a good defense, but CV’s is better. CV 24, Mead 10.
Adams: These teams are cut from the same cloth, making the transition from smashmouth football to a more spread attack. Defense should make the difference in this one. CV 28, Mead 24.
Northwest Christian at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, Friday, 7
Lee: This game will decide the Northwest 2B championship. The Crusaders were impressive last week against Colfax. LRS might not have as many proven skill players as the Crusaders, but the Broncos have the better offensive and defensive lines. LRS 27, NWC 20.
Adams: Talk about your coin-flip matchup. If these teams play on a neutral site, it’s a 50-50 proposition. But it’s being played in Ritzville, where the Broncos haven’t lost a game since 2010. LRS 35, NWC 28.
East Valley at Cheney, Friday, 7
Lee: Will we see the EV team that put up 48 and 56 points in its first two games or the team that struggled in back-to-back losses to Inland Empire League teams? EV probably has a better offense and Cheney has a better defense. Cheney 28, EV 20.
Adams: Ty Graham is coming off a career night for the Blackhawks against Sunnyside (209 yards, four touchdowns). Cheney has offensive weapons to survive in this GNL opener. Cheney 27, EV 21.
Pullman at West Valley, Friday, 7
Lee: There should be a lot of points scored. At least by the Greyhounds, who have twice scored 60 or more. WV has speed to keep up with the Greyhounds, but Pullman has more playmakers. Pullman 42, WV 20.
Adams: The Greyhounds have been
riding the arm of Mason Petrino in nonleague play. Now comes a league matchup on the road against maybe the toughest defense in the GNL. Pullman 21, WV 17.
Post Falls at Moses Lake, Friday, 7
Lee: The Trojans have steadily improved and will give the Chiefs all they can handle. But Moses Lake impressed me by holding Coeur d’Alene to 17 points two weeks ago. Both play solid defense. Moses Lake 24, PF 14.
Adams: Moses Lake has been a worthy adversary against CdA (narrow loss on a goal-line interception) and Lewis and Clark (victory). If this game is in Idaho, I’m taking
the Trojans in a heartbeat. This will be a tough, tough road test for Post Falls, but
on a hunch I think the Trojans will answer the call. PF 17, Moses Lake 13.
Lake City at Sandpoint, Friday, 7
Lee: LC has played the more difficult schedule. Sandpoint put in a new old
offense last week, scrapping a misdirection- based attack for the I formation that coach Satini Puailoa used for many wins in his
first tour as head coach. I’m going with a hunch here. LC 30, Sandpoint 27.
Adams: Even the so-called “easy” matchups for LC aren’t this season, are they? The difference may be the new QB, Matt Duchow. I have a feeling we’ll be pronouncing this name (DOO-Coe) a lot on Friday nights from here on out. LC 24, Sandpoint 21.